Dried Tomato Exports Exceed $100 Million

Deep red tomatoes grown in Anatolia's fertile lands are sun-dried with painstaking effort and exported to 98 countries. Turkey exported USD 108 million worth of dried tomatoes during the first 10 months of 2025 and secured the second position globally, behind Italy.

In dried tomatoes, a cornerstone ingredient of Mediterranean cuisine, Turkish exporters who are members of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association carried out 94% of Turkey's exports. Aegean exporters achieved USD 101 million in dried tomato exports.

We are the world's second-largest dried tomato exporter
Hayrettin Uçak, Deputy Coordinator Chairman of Aegean Exporters Associations and Chairman of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, noted that Turkey ranks second globally in dried tomato exports after Italy, stating that 34,419 tons of dried tomatoes were exported with an 11% decrease in volume, and that export revenues maintained 2024 levels thanks to a 12% increase in dried tomato export prices in dollar terms.

We want the EU quota on dried tomato exports removed
Pointing out that Turkey has an 8,900-ton quota on dried tomato exports to the European Union, Uçak stated: "Our exporters fill this quota every January. We want the quota on dried tomato exports to the EU to be removed, or if not removed, to be raised to a level that reflects Turkey's potential. If the quota is removed or increased, our dried tomato exports could reach USD 200 million in potential."

Chairman Uçak, emphasizing that dried tomato is a treasure of flavor and health benefits in its own right, said: "Dried tomato adds flavor to a wide range of dishes, from pasta to salads, from breakfasts to soups, from meat dishes to fish, from poultry to pizzas. From the 15 million tons of fresh tomatoes grown in Anatolian lands, we have exported dried tomatoes to 98 countries, from the US to Italy, from Canada to Germany, from Brazil to Japan. By the end of 2025, we will reach USD 125 million. Our target for 2026 is to push our dried tomato exports above USD 150 million."

The US, Italy, UK and Germany led in exports
Chairman Uçak, also sharing that Turkey's average dried tomato export price increased from USD 2.8 to USD 3.16, summarized the leading countries in exports as follows: "Our exports to the United States reached USD 26.2 million with a 24% increase, and the US maintained its top position. We sent USD 19.5 million worth of dried tomatoes to Italy, where our exports grew 20%. The UK and Germany shared third place with USD 8.7 million in Turkish dried tomato demand."

Dried tomato as a health treasure
Rich in minerals, dried tomato protects heart health and bone tissue, cleanses the liver and strengthens immunity. A source of vitamins A, K and C, dried tomato is rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants, protects eye health and has the ability to prevent anemia and iron-deficiency anaemia.