Food exports to the U.S. exceed $1 billion

Food exports from Turkey to the United States jumped to USD 120 million in January 2022, representing a 76% increase from USD 68 million, while the USA's food imports from Turkey rose 35% year-on-year in 2021, climbing from USD 810 million to USD 1.094 billion. Food exports to the US have surpassed USD 1 billion. The United States ranks fourth among countries importing food from Turkey. Aegean Exporters Associations have dominated the growth of food exports from Turkey to the US through the TURQUALITY Project, which promotes Turkish food products in the US, and through their participation in trade fairs held there.

Aegean Exporters Associations accounted for 30% of US food exports in 2021

Birol Celep, Deputy Coordinator President of Aegean Exporters Associations, stated that they have been running the TURQUALITY Project for three years to increase consumption of Turkish flavors in the New World and are beginning to reap the benefits of these efforts. Celep reported that food exports from Aegean Exporters Associations to the US advanced from USD 267 million to USD 330 million in 2021, a 23% increase. Celep said, "In 2021, Aegean exporters achieved 30% of Turkey's USD 1.094 billion food exports to the US." Celep, noting that they see potential to double their market position in the US and increase food exports to USD 2 billion, "As Aegean Exporters Associations, we have been organizing Turkey's national participation in the Fancy Food Show in New York for many years. After the pandemic, the entire world must open up. Life will become sustainable with its own internal dynamics. We must continue our exports without panic, taking our precautions and without falling into despair due to the pandemic. Turkey has no other path in terms of employment and production." he said.

Turkish food sector exports to the US reached USD 120 million in January

Celep, noting that the Turkish food sector made a strong start to 2022 in exports to the US, "In January, our exports to the US increased 76%, rising from USD 68 million to USD 120 million. Naturally packaged and organic products are experiencing strong demand. We will not leave this market to the Italians, French, and Spanish. We will analyze the global changes and their impact on national economies and make the right moves. We learned during the pandemic how important it is for the supply chain of agricultural and food products—that is, imports and exports—to continue without disruption worldwide. We will continue to produce and export by taking the right steps." In 2021, the US demanded hundreds of varieties of food products from Turkey, with chewing gum leading at USD 120 million. Apple juice exports earned Turkey USD 80 million, while corn kernels reached an export figure of USD 79 million. Dried apricots, dried figs, olive oil, sea bass, vegetable oils, processed fruits and vegetables, and spices were among the other food products that stood out in US exports.