Turkish fruit juice industry exports reach $472 million

Turkish fruit juice sector exports increased 10% over the past year, rising from USD 430 million to USD 472 million. The sector, which aims to exceed USD 500 million in exports in 2024, has set a target of USD 1 billion in exports for 2028. As Turkey's fruit and vegetable products exports exceeded USD 2.5 billion annually for the first time, fruit juices became the strongest export item in the fruit and vegetable products category with USD 472 million.

2024 target to exceed USD 500 million

Hayrettin Uçak, Deputy Coordinator President of Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri and President of Ege Yaş Meyve Sebze İhracatçıları Birliği, noted that Turkey produces 27 million tons of fruit annually and stated that 10% of annual fruit production is processed by the fruit juice industry and converted into added value, with the sector's export target for 2024 being to exceed USD 500 million.

2028 target USD 1 billion in exports

President Uçak, noting that domestic market consumption in Turkey is dominated by peach, apricot, sour cherry and orange juices, said, "Half of Turkey's concentrate (semi-finished product) exports comes from apple juice concentrate. Pomegranate and black carrot concentrate are among Turkey's products with very high competitive strength in exports. While per capita consumption in Europe averages 20 liters, Turkey has only reached half of that. Our fruit juice sector has growth potential both in exports and in the domestic market. We estimate that by 2028, Turkey's fruit juice exports will generate USD 1 billion in foreign currency."

Sector provides suitable ground for new investments

Pointing out that Turkey's fruit composition is an advantage for new investments in the fruit juice sector, Uçak continued: "Beyond Turkey's current fruit composition, tropical fruit production is increasing rapidly. With our raw material advantage combined with a skilled workforce, Turkey always ranks among the preferred countries as an investment alternative. International rating agency Fitch raised Turkey's credit rating from 'B' to 'B+' last week. Macroeconomic indicators show that investment conditions in Turkey are improving. With new investments in the fruit juice sector, we believe Turkey will maintain the fruit juice sector's leadership in exports in the fruit and vegetable products sector."

Fruit juice exports make a strong start in 2024

Uçak stated that the Turkish fruit juice sector made a strong start to exports in 2024: "While Turkey exported USD 74 million of fruit juice in January-February 2023, in the first two months of 2024 it increased exports by 27% to USD 94 million. We believe this success will extend throughout 2024. In Turkey's 2023 fruit juice exports, apple juice led by far with USD 251 million, while sour cherry, peach and apricot juice exports contributed USD 130 million, mixed fruit juices USD 23 million, orange juice USD 8 million, and grape juice USD 5 million," he concluded.

Fruit juice exports to 151 countries

In Turkey's 2023 fruit juice exports, the United States is by far the leading market with USD 196 million. The Netherlands ranks second with USD 36.5 million in demand, and Italy is third with USD 22 million in fruit juice exports. These are followed by Germany with USD 18 million, Canada with USD 17 million, Japan with USD 13.5 million, and the United Kingdom with USD 11 million.