In the initial four months of 2024, Turkey witnessed a 16% increase in citrus exports compared to the same timeframe in the previous year, achieving a total of $475 million, as stated by the president of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association. Notably, citrus exports to Iraq experienced a significant surge of nearly 400%. Hayrettin Uçak highlighted the achievement of surpassing the $1 billion mark in citrus exports for the first time in 2023, with an aim to elevate this figure to $1.3 billion within the year.
Russia remained the primary market for Turkish citrus, with exports amounting to $148 million, while Iraq followed with $90.2 million, marking a 399% increase. Additionally, exports to Ukraine and Poland were reported at $45.5 million and $23.4 million, respectively, with Romania also contributing $22 million in revenues. The export of tangerines, which constituted 49% of the total citrus exports, reached $233.5 million, with significant shipments to Russia and Iraq. A record increase was observed in tangerine exports to Iraq, soaring to $32 million from $4.3 million in the previous year. Furthermore, lemon and orange exports to Iraq saw substantial growth, with increases of 181% and over 1,300% respectively.
Source: dailysabah.com