Turkish Foods Adorn Tables Around the World

Anatolia, the cradle of humanity, continues to serve as the world's food storehouse with its fertile lands, four-season climate and rich biodiversity. Turkey has increased its food exports ninefold over the last 22 years and today holds a 1.5% share of world food exports.

First in Agricultural Output in Europe, Eighth in the World
Turkish farmers produce 137 million tonnes of crop output across 24 million hectares. As of 2024, with agricultural output of USD 74 billion, Turkey ranks first in Europe and eighth in the world.
By the end of 2024, agricultural product exports exceeded USD 36 billion, with food products accounting for USD 28.5 billion of this.

Turkish Products Lead Global Rankings
Turkey ranks first globally in the production of hazelnuts, cherries, figs, apricots, quinces, bay leaves, thyme, table olives, sea bass, sea bream and poppy seeds.

It ranks second in honey, melons and watermelons; third in lentils, pistachios, sour cherries, mandarins and cucumbers; and fourth in walnuts, apples, tomatoes, spinach and peppers.
Turkey is also a strong player in animal production: it ranks first in Europe in beef production, second in poultry meat, and within the world's top 10 in egg and honey production.

Aegean Exporters Unions: Turkey's Food Export Engine
The Aegean Exporters Unions (EİB), which brings a wide range of products from dried fruits to olive oil, from aquatic products to medicinal and aromatic plants to world markets, generates over USD 7.5 billion in foreign exchange annually for Turkey.

22% of Turkey's total USD 36 billion in agricultural product exports is carried out through EİB.
Despite frost and cold waves in 2025, Turkey has the infrastructure to maintain its position as "the world's food storehouse".

"Turkey, a Reliable and Sustainable Food Supplier"
Hayrettin Uçak – Deputy Coordinator Chairman of EİB and Chairman of Aegean Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Exporters Union

"Turkey stands out in the world as a reliable and sustainable food supplier. Our agricultural and food exports, which were USD 3.7 billion in 2002, reached USD 32.6 billion in 2024. We hold a 1.5% share of world agricultural exports. We are strengthening our position at global tables with high-value-added, processed products."

Uçak noted that Turkey is positioned as a supplier across a broad geography stretching from Africa to the Americas in food exports, adding,
"With our annual production of 60 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables, we meet the needs of 85 million people while achieving exports exceeding USD 6 billion."

"Turkey is the World Leader in Dried Fruits"
Mehmet Ali Işık – Sustainability and Organic Products Coordinator of EİB, Chairman of Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters Union

"We rank first globally in both production and exports of seedless raisins, dried apricots and dried figs. In 2024, our dried fruit exports reached USD 1.85 billion."

Işık recalled that sustainability efforts are also recognised internationally, saying,
"We won the INC Excellence in Sustainability award. In the coming period, our priority will be adaptation to climate change and reduction of carbon footprint."

"We Meet One-Third of the World's Protein Needs"
Bedri Girit – Chairman of Aegean Aquatic Products and Animal Products Exporters Union

"Our aquatic products and animal products exports reached USD 2.857 billion in the January–September 2025 period. We rank first globally in sea bass and sea bream. Turkish salmon exports increased by 15%, reaching USD 368.9 million."

Girit noted that Turkish food exporters are strong in accessing new markets, saying,
"Turkey is a candidate to become the global centre for reliable food and sustainable production."

"We are the Strongest Sector in Food Exports"
Muhammet Öztürk – Chairman of Aegean Cereals, Legumes, Oilseeds and Products Exporters Union

"As the cereals, legumes, oilseeds and products sector, we generate 47% of Turkey's food exports."

Noting that they increased exports by 14% in the first nine months of 2025, reaching USD 852 million, Öztürk said,
"Our vegetable oil exports reached USD 452 million, we recorded 18% growth in chocolate products and 34% growth in cereal products."

"Record in Table Olive Exports"
Emre Uygun – Chairman of Aegean Olives and Olive Oil Exporters Union

"Our black olive exports increased by 19% to USD 194 million, our green olive exports increased by 29% to USD 61 million. We set a record with total revenue of USD 255 million."

Uygun said that promotional activities conducted in the United States, Japan and China have increased the global visibility of Turkish olive oil.

"A Sustainable Food Future Through the Power of Nature"
Ali Fuat Gürle – Chairman of Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Union

"Bay leaves, thyme, sage and rosemary are symbols of nature, sustainability and healthy living. Turkey is a strong supplier in these products on the global market."

Gürle noted that with the "Non-Wood Forest Products Technical Committee" they have created sustainable production and traceable supply chains, saying,
"Protecting this bounty from nature and strengthening environmentally conscious production is our fundamental priority for the welfare of future generations."