Uçak: "Quotas Should Be Removed, Fresh Fruit, Vegetable and Processed Product Exports Should Reach $10 Billion"

Hayrettin Uçak, Chairman of the Sector Board at Turkey's Fruit and Vegetable Products Exporters Associations, said that quotas and customs duties applied in export markets must be reduced or eliminated for the fresh fruit and vegetable and processed fruit and vegetable sectors to fully realize their export potential.

Uçak noted that they presented a comprehensive report containing the sector's priority demands and expectations to Trade Minister Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, emphasizing that the sector has the capacity to reach USD 10 billion in export volume in the medium term once commercial barriers to exports are removed.

"Today, the total exports of our fresh fruit and vegetable and processed fruit and vegetable sectors stand at USD 6.3 billion. With our production capacity, infrastructure and product diversity, we have the potential to increase this figure to USD 10 billion in the short term. For this, particularly the removal of quotas applied in export markets and the reduction of customs duties are of great importance," said Uçak, adding that they are requesting support from the Trade Ministry on this matter.

Support for Processed Products Should Be Reactivated
Noting that value-added production and exports have strategic importance for Turkey's economy, Uçak said that the reactivation of support for processed products would increase the sector's international competitiveness.

Uçak stated, "We demand that DFIF support for processed products be reapplied in a manner that strengthens the global market competitiveness of our companies engaged in value-added production."

EU Quota for Dried Tomatoes Insufficient
Recalling that Turkey ranks among the world's leading countries in dried tomato trade, Uçak noted that the EU's 8,900-ton import quota limits the sector's growth.

"In previous years, this quota was exhausted in 5-6 months, but today it is completed within January. In 2025, we achieved USD 189 million in dried tomato exports and rank second in the world after Italy. Removal of the EU quota or at least increasing it to 40,000 tons is of great importance for our sector," he said.

Customs Duty Barrier in Apple Exports to Egypt
Noting that Turkey has gained significant momentum in apple exports in recent years, Uçak said annual export capacity has reached 300,000 tons.

Stating that demand from the Egyptian market is increasing but the 40 percent customs duty negatively affects exporters' competitiveness, Uçak said, "We have requested that negotiations be held between the two countries to remove or reduce the customs duty applied to apple exports to Egypt."

Expectations for Regulation in Sauce and Tomato Exports
Noting that increasing the quotas applied by the EU to sauce products is also of critical importance for the sector, Uçak emphasized that Turkey is a strong global player in this field.

Regarding tomato exports to Ukraine, Uçak stated that anti-dumping duties imposed in addition to the current 10 percent customs duty negatively affect exports, and said they are requesting increased diplomatic initiatives for the reconsideration of this decision.

"Our Minister Displayed a Positive Approach to Solutions"
Noting that Trade Minister Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat listened carefully to the demands of sector representatives, Uçak made the following assessment regarding the meeting:

"Our Minister carefully evaluated all the issues we conveyed. He stated that he will place our sector's demands on the agenda in discussions with his counterparts in the relevant countries and will make the necessary efforts for a solution. We thank him for the close attention and constructive approach he has shown."

2026 Target: USD 7.5 Billion in Exports
Recalling that the fresh fruit and vegetable and processed fruit and vegetable sectors achieved total exports of USD 6.3 billion in 2025, Uçak noted that strong growth continued in the first five months of 2026.

Recording that sector exports in the January-May period rose by 18 percent from USD 2.384 billion to USD 2.815 billion, Uçak said they expect export performance to strengthen in the second half of the year thanks to the positive impact of favorable climate conditions on production.

"Thanks to our production capacity, product diversity and effectiveness in our export markets, we believe we can conclude 2026 with USD 7.5 billion in exports. If quotas blocking our trade are removed and customs duties are reduced, the medium-term target of USD 10 billion in exports would become an achievable goal," he said.