Turkish Tastes-TURQUALITY Project Announced in the US

Turkish Tastes-TURQUALITY Project Unveiled in the United States Under the umbrella of Aegean Exporters Associations, with the participation of 6 food exporter unions aimed at increasing preference for Turkish food products in the United States—the world's largest food importer with annual food imports of USD 160 billion—the second edition of the "Turkish Tastes-TURQUALITY Project" book, supported by the Ministry of Trade, was announced at a major event in the United States.

Turkey is the homeland and largest producer of many fruits and vegetables

Aegean Exporters Associations Coordinator Vice Chairman and Chairman of Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association Hayrettin Uçak stated, "Turkey's climate and geographical characteristics offer unique richness in diversity and quality for fruit and vegetable production. For this reason, Turkey holds a privileged position as the homeland and largest producer of many fruits and vegetables. The harmonious combination of traditional production techniques and modern operations provides significant advantages to exporters. Turkey's promotional efforts aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable product exports to the United States emphasize these riches and advantages." Chairman Uçak explained, "According to recent data, Turkey's fruit and vegetable product exports to the United States increased by 26 percent in the previous year, reaching a volume of USD 343 million. This increase is directly related to growing demand for Turkish fruits and vegetables in the U.S. market. Turkey's ability to quickly adapt to current trends in every market globally strengthens its success in the U.S. market."

We rank among the world's top 10 countries

Chairman of Aegean Aquatic Products and Animal Products Exporters Association Bedri Girit stated, "The aquatic products and animal products sector plays a vital role in meeting the world's protein needs. All product groups within our association rank among the world's top 10 countries. In the aquatic products sector, Turkey is the world's largest sea bass and sea bream producer and exporter. Additionally, Turkish salmon, which we have begun farming recently in the Black Sea, has generated significant global interest as the shining star of our sector. Our association's poultry meat production ranks 8th globally." Chairman Girit said, "When we look at eggs, we continue to export to more than 50 countries in our sector, which ranks 5th globally. In the honey sector, we are the 2nd largest producer in the world, and in pine honey, we are the world's number one, producing 92 percent of the world's supply. Through the Turkish Tastes Project and trade fair organizations aimed at increasing Turkey's aquatic products and animal products exports to the United States, Turkey's exports of aquatic products and animal products to the U.S. increased by 18 percent in 2023, reaching a volume of USD 123 million. As the Turkish Tastes brand, we will continue supporting all types of cooperation with all our members as protein providers."

Turkey is the world's largest table olive and 2nd largest olive oil producer

Chairman of Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters Association Davut Er said, "Olive oil, which is becoming increasingly important every day and is an essential part of Mediterranean-style nutrition, was produced industrially for the first time in history in facilities in Izmir. Turkey is the world's largest table olive and 2nd largest olive oil producer, and possesses a rich tradition in this field. Our culture, which preserves the original healthy recipes dating back a thousand years in the olive oil dishes segment worldwide and passes them down through generations, represents Turkey's olive and olive oil sector. Turkey's promotional efforts to increase olive and olive oil exports to the United States also emphasize this rich heritage and quality products. According to recent data, Turkey's olive and olive oil exports to the United States increased by 80 percent in 2023, reaching a volume of USD 199 million. This increase is directly related to growing demand for the quality and variety of Turkish olive and olive oil. Turkey's important position in the global market and its products suited to healthy eating trends are expected to strengthen its success in the U.S. market. We will continue to be the strongest supporter of both healthy nutrition and Turkish Tastes."

We have reached USD 700 million in export volume in our sector

Chairman of Aegean Cereals Legumes Oil Seeds and Products Exporters Association Muhammet Öztürk stated, "As is known, our homeland Anatolia is the cradle of civilization, fertility and culture where agriculture began. We experience the joy of sharing nature's miraculous gifts with the whole world. Thanks to our Turkish Tastes Turquality Project, which we have been conducting since 2019, we have reached USD 700 million in export volume in our sector and we believe we will continue to increase this every year. I invite each of you to taste the flavors of Turkish grains, legumes, oil seeds and products displayed here today." Turkish Tastes Ambassador and Board Member of Aegean Furniture Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association Kazım Gürel stated, "Since 2019, we have embarked on this project with a long-term vision, contributing to all our stakeholders within the scope of our project. Through collaborations with prestigious institutions such as University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, Nevada Restaurant Association (NvRA), and American Culinary Federation (ACF), we have created a large community. Seeing this community continually grow is the best indication that our efforts are bearing fruit. We believe the time has come to reveal the potential for joint work in the sectors we represent and to take concrete steps in this regard. We will work determinedly to advance further in this area in the coming period."

Turkish ingredients in world cuisine

Gürel said, "We will continue our training work to get U.S. chefs to include Turkish Flavors on their agendas. For this reason, we attach great importance to the Turkish Tastes reference book series and are pleased to publish the second issue of our book. As Aegean Exporters Associations, through our Turkish Tastes Project, we have demonstrated what can be done with Turkish products in all kitchens. We have prepared a reference book called Turkish Tastes. With the book, while introducing our products, cuisine and culture to the target audience on one hand, we have shown on the other hand that Turkish products can be used in all kitchens around the world. We hosted U.S. chefs in Turkey and they experienced the journey of our products from farm to table with the unique hospitality of Anatolia. I would like to mention for the first time the Turkish Tastes Restaurant Program, which we believe will be the most important event in the coming period. Through this program, we will bring our "Turkish ingredients in world cuisine approach" to the end consumer's experience. Restaurants we will collaborate with across the United States will serve menus prepared with Turkish Tastes products to their guests." Director General of Exports at the Ministry of Trade Mehmet Ali Kılıçkaya stated, "Our firms and sectors always have our backing. Our Turkish Tastes Turquality Project is very important for our country. We view it as a pilot project that other projects should follow as an example. This event, which was attended by senior executives of the largest food companies in the United States such as Sysco, the number one food distributor in the U.S., and US Foods, the 2nd largest food distributor, is an excellent summary of what has been achieved from 2019 to today and the dedicated work undertaken. Our Turkish Tastes Turquality Project has prepared the appropriate ground for direct impact on our exports to the United States. In the coming period, we will see commercialization concretely. As the Ministry, we will continue to support our Turkish Tastes Turquality Project and be actively by your side at every stage in the coming period as we have been until now." Turkish Tastes National Ambassador appointments were presented to Chef Thomas Macrina and Chef Reimund Pitz, Turkish Tastes Nevada Regional Ambassador appointment to Chef Lucio Arancibia, and Turkish Tastes Denver Regional Ambassador appointments to Chef Greg Matchett. These appointments ensured that the Turkish Tastes Turquality Project is permanently represented by chefs in the United States.