Cooperation Between Farmers and Exporters Boosts Agricultural Exports

Despite climate crisis pressuring production and causing harvest losses, Turkey's agricultural sector continued export growth. Thanks to strong cooperation between farmers and exporters, Turkey's agricultural product exports reached USD 36.6 billion in the past year, up 1.3 percent.

The Aegean Region, which leads in agricultural product exports, surpassed USD 7.5 billion with a 1 percent increase, accounting for 22 percent of Turkey's total exports on its own.

Production capacity preserved despite challenging conditions
Despite an 8.8 percent contraction in the agricultural sector in 2025, the export growth stood out. Turkey maintains world leadership in many products such as hazelnuts, cherries, figs, apricots, thyme and olives, while preserving its strong global market position through broad product diversity.

With production carried out on 24 million hectares of agricultural land, Turkey remains an important player in world agriculture.

"The Aegean Region generates 22 percent of agricultural exports"
Muhammet Öztürk, Coordinator President of Aegean Exporters Associations, noted that achieving export growth despite challenging climate conditions demonstrates sector resilience:

"Although frost, hail and cold weather in 2025 damaged production, we are seeing growth thanks to our exporters' effective marketing strategies. Agricultural insurance and greenhouse production are critical in reducing risks."

Target: USD 10 billion in exports
Through agricultural-based specialized organized industrial zones to be established in the Aegean Region, exports are targeted to reach USD 10 billion over the next 5 years. The alignment of producers and exporters in the region is emerging as the most important driver of this growth.

Farmers at the center of sustainability
Sector representatives emphasize that farmers are not only the foundation of production but also key actors in food security, sustainability and economic development.

Yusuf Gabay, President of the Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters Association, highlighted that cooperation conducted with producers is critical in terms of quality and sustainability; while Ufuk Atakan Demir, President of the Aegean Aquatic Products and Animal Products Exporters Association, stated that the success achieved in aquatic products and animal production stems from farmers' labor.

Knowledge-based production and sustainability gain prominence
The sector aims to increase production quality through projects such as pesticide control, training programs, biotechnical pest management methods and bringing young people into agriculture. At the same time, sustainable farming practices and value-added production models are shaping the future of exports.

World Farmers Day message
On the occasion of 14 May World Farmers Day, sector representatives thanked farmers, the foundation of production, and emphasized that supporting producers is critical for agricultural sustainability.