Dried Fig Exports on the Rise

Dried figs valued at 15% increase on dollar basis Although dried fig production reached 90,000 tonnes in the 2019-20 season and 85,000 tonnes in the 2020-21 season, exports have already reached 60,000 tonnes, achieving last year's export figures with a 15% value-based increase. The dried fruit sector believes this success in dried figs can be replicated in other export items such as dried raisins through sectoral and academic collaborations, R&D, design and branding. Speaking at the 2019-2020 Ordinary General Assembly Meeting, Ege Kuru Meyve ve Mamulleri İhracatçıları Birliği President Birol Celep said that Turkey, as an agricultural nation, has been able to turn its food export strategy to advantage even under the prevailing crisis conditions. "Product Committees were established for our dried raisins, dried figs and dried apricots, and these committees held meetings at both commercial and technical levels. Additionally, an Organic Products Committee, a Science and Technology Board, and an Economy and Finance Board were established and have continued their systematic meetings. Financial and technical support was provided to scientific projects conducted both domestically and abroad. Initiatives were undertaken for the establishment of a licensed warehousing system and for TMO to procure dried fruit. The importance of maintaining close contact and cooperation with producers has been emphasized at every platform, producer meetings have been organized, extension and training activities have been conducted to address food safety issues, and through our international partnerships, active roles have been taken in lobbying activities conducted at the European Commission."  

Dried raisins, dried apricots, dried figs exports reach USD 848 million

Celep, recalling that the sector's exports have ranged between USD 1.3-1.4 billion over the past five years, stated: "In 2019, total dried fruit exports reached 485,000 tonnes by volume and USD 1 billion 416 million by value; in 2020, they reached 477,000 tonnes by volume and USD 1 billion 399 million by value. Our union realized 75% of the country's total dried fruit exports by volume and 61% by value. As of 19 June in the 2020-21 season, 184,000 tonnes of raisin exports generated USD 356 million in revenue. Our dried fig exports presented a positive picture with a 7% increase by volume and a 15% increase by value. We earned USD 217 million from 60,000 tonnes of dried fig exports. For dried apricots, we increased our export revenue by 16% to USD 275 million from 82,500 tonnes of dried apricot exports. All dried apricots exported at USD 2,781 per tonne in the 2019-20 season found buyers at USD 3,485 per tonne in the 2020-21 period. In the 2020-21 season, the average export price of all dried figs increased from USD 4,067 to USD 4,265 per tonne." he said.  

The market should be shaped by us, not by buyers

Birol Celep, noting that in recent years demand for healthy foods and consumer expectations have been increasing and competition has intensified further, called for unity and solidarity. "To meet consumer expectations in our buyer markets, to protect our existing markets and enter new markets, and to compete with rival producing countries such as China and Uzbekistan, we have no choice but to achieve unity among ourselves. As the world's largest grape producer and exporter, we can establish a system where we, not buyers, shape the raisin market, and our dried apricots find their deserved value in world markets. For dried raisins, dried figs and dried apricots, we have mobilized all our efforts to overcome difficulties such as Ochratoxin-A and pesticide limits, sulphur limits in dried apricots, and active ingredient updates related to EU regulations that may confront us in the coming period."  

A call for collective wisdom

Celep emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry should support and guide producers in the controlled use of pesticides by basing its pricing policy on transparency and traceability. "The state needs to work with us on collective wisdom. We must establish collective wisdom in all agricultural sectors. We worked very effectively with TMO for 4 years. In the fifth year, they charted a different course. We should not give rise to speculative movements. By obtaining feedback from Agricultural Provincial/District Directorates and wise people in the region, and by developing common strategies with all stakeholders, we should properly coordinate our country and our sectors. Sales should not begin without providing predictable conditions in harvests and without announcing prices. Futures sales harm both producers and the sector, all parties. The USA has no chance to compete with us. We can outperform South Africa as we wish. Iran was already absent from the free market. Uzbekistan has China's serious plantations. Like in Chile, the product sold needs to be verified and planting areas plantations need to be developed, the process needs to be properly planned. Those who accept change in the world will achieve success. We must think innovatively and differently in every matter, we must always renew ourselves."

Dried fruit sector's 2023 target is USD 3 billion

According to Celep, we could be leaders in world dried fruit exports, but the sector's exports have remained stuck in the USD 1.3-1.4 billion range in recent years.   "For the dried fruit sector to reach its USD 3 billion export target set for 2023 and to reflect our existing potential most effectively in our exports, we as sector stakeholders must work together and review our short-, medium- and long-term strategies. If we make progress at many stages such as cooperation with universities, R&D, design and branding, with the combined strength of all our stakeholders, we can focus on more value-added product exports and thus reach our 2023 targets."