Turkey exports organic products to 12 countries. The highest revenue was from the export of organic hazelnuts, figs, apricots, grapes and strawberries, cotton and fruit juices. The United States is the leading importer of Turkish organic products. Exports to the United States make up 18,4% of the country's organic export in terms of value, with Germany, France, The Netherlands, Switzerland and other European countries taking up the remainder.
The majority of organic products grown in Turkey are exported, therefore, foreign demands shape the range of these products. Turkey's organic product export totaled 37 million USD in 2003 , and this increased to 77 million USD in 2016. From 2005 until 2009, the exports of organic products totaled 27 million USD on average. However, in 2010, the revenues plummeted by almost half which can be explained by the global economic crisis. The data is gathered from exporter companies, therefore the numbers do not reflect the total data on exports of organic products.
In the beginning of 1990s., Turkey's main agricultural export products (raisins, hazelnuts and cotton) constituted a major part of the organic exports. However, the range of products has expanded since then. Nowadays, Turkey's organic product exports include not only hazelnuts but also figs, dried fruits, spices, fresh fruits and vegetables, processed fruits and vegetables, cereals, industrial crops, oily seeds and other raw and processed produce.
In the last few years, organic agriculture has become even more widespread in the world and the global organic food market is expanding day by day. Turkey is a typical example of a country that develops organic agriculture based on their exports potential. Most of their organic products are exported, however the domestic market is also expanding. Even though the climate in Turkey is very suitable to practice organic agriculture, the country's share on the global organic food market is quite small. Therefore, it is very important that Turkey improves its organic agriculture and increases its organic exports.
Source: Dunyagida (Nur İlkay ABACI)