Trade Push to India from the Turkish Dried Fruit Sector

Within the scope of the India Sectoral Purchasing Delegation organized by the Aegean Dried Fruit and Products Exporters' Association, 7 leading companies from India came together with sector representatives in Türkiye. Approximately 150 bilateral business meetings were held with more than 20 Turkish exporting companies in İzmir, while the program continued with sector and company visits in Gaziantep.

The Aegean Dried Fruit and Products Exporters' Association organized the India Sectoral Purchasing Delegation between September 14-19, 2026, in order to increase the recognition and exports of the Turkish dried fruit sector in the Indian market.

In the İzmir program of the delegation, which was attended by 7 leading companies operating in India's dried and shelled fruit sector, more than 20 Turkish exporting companies held approximately 150 bilateral business meetings.

In the meetings, new trade opportunities and long-term cooperation possibilities were discussed in product groups where Türkiye is strong, especially dried apricots, dried figs, seedless dried grapes (raisins) and pistachios.

"We can reach a stronger position in the Indian market"

Yusuf Gabay, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aegean Dried Fruit and Products Exporters' Association, drew attention to the growth of Türkiye's exports in the Indian market.

Gabay said, "Türkiye exported 1 billion 241 million dollars worth of goods to India in 2025. In the January-August period of 2026, exports reached 863 million dollars with a 6 percent increase. We export 133 million dollars worth of food products to India annually. Turkish dried fruits can take a larger share of the existing potential."

Noting that Turkish dried figs, dried apricots and seedless dried grapes (raisins) could gain a wider place in the Indian market in terms of quality and product diversity, Gabay stated that the approximately 150 bilateral business meetings held revealed the commercial interest on both sides.

Gabay said, "The approximately 150 bilateral business meetings we held in our sectoral purchasing delegation revealed not only our companies' interest in the Indian market but also Indian buyers' demand for Turkish products."

Sectoral cooperation with India is being developed

Within the scope of the program, contacts were also made with sector organizations in India.

Yusuf Gabay stated that in the meetings held with Rajeev Pabreja, Treasurer of the Nuts and Dry Fruits Council (India) - NDFC(I) and Chairman of MEWA, and Amit Lohani, Founding Director of the Forum of Indian Food Importers (FIFI), topics regarding the development of Türkiye-India dried fruit trade and increasing communication between the sectors were evaluated.

Gabay said, "While bringing our exporting companies directly together with Indian importers on one hand, we are developing institutional cooperation with India's sector organizations on the other hand. Our aim is to create a sustainable trade foundation between our sectors by ensuring that mutual visits and commercial contacts become regular."

Next target: MEWA India 2027

Noting that one of the important agenda items of the India program was the MEWA India 2027 Fair to be held in Mumbai on March 11-13, 2027, Gabay announced that they plan to participate in the fair within the scope of the Turkish Dried Fruits TURQUALITY Project and to organize a Sectoral Trade Delegation simultaneously with the fair.

Stating that they aim to support the promotional activities of Turkish dried fruits in India with commercial activities, Gabay said, "Through our participation in MEWA India 2027 and the Sectoral Trade Delegation we plan to organize during the same period, we aim to enable our exporting companies to make contact with more importers, distributors and sector professionals."

Turkish dried fruits are being promoted in India through digital channels

The Aegean Dried Fruit and Products Exporters' Association continues its promotional activities for the Indian market throughout the year through digital communication channels as well.

Through the @turkishdriedfruitsindia social media account, content regarding the product characteristics, uses, recipes and place of Turkish dried fruits in healthy nutrition is brought together with Indian consumers.

Noting that the activities are carried out with content suitable for India's consumption habits and cultural structure, Gabay said their goal is to create a strong and lasting brand perception for Turkish dried fruits in the country.

Gabay said, "We want to increase the recognition and market share of Turkish dried figs, dried apricots and seedless dried grapes (raisins) in India, to turn the institutional contacts we have made into long-term commercial cooperation, and to ensure sustainable export growth."

The delegation's second stop was Gaziantep

The second stop of the India Sectoral Purchasing Delegation program held between September 14-19, 2026 was Gaziantep.

After the İzmir program, the Indian buyers who moved on to Gaziantep held B2B meetings with Turkish companies, and had the opportunity to examine Türkiye's production, processing and export capacity on site through sector and company visits.

With the program covering İzmir and Gaziantep, the Aegean Dried Fruit and Products Exporters' Association aims to directly introduce the production power, product diversity and export capacity of the Turkish dried fruit sector to India's leading buyers and to contribute to the development of dried fruit trade between the two countries.