Turkey Aims for 30% of Global Raisin Export!
In the 2023/24 season, Turkey, a global leader in the production and export of seedless raisins, concluded with an export worth $490 million, marking an 11% increase compared to the previous season. The 64th International Conference of Seedless Raisin Producing Countries was held on October 24, 2024, in Paris, France. The meeting was attended by 27 representatives from seedless raisin-producing countries, including Australia, Chile, Greece, South Africa, Turkey, and the United States. The next conference is scheduled to take place in Cape Town from November 15 to 17, 2025.
Murat Gören, Trade Advisor at the Turkish Embassy in Paris, emphasized the importance of international cooperation and sustainability in the seedless raisin sector during his speech. Mark King from Australia was elected as Conference President, while Osman Öz from Turkey was appointed as Vice President, with Ece Tırkaz serving as Secretary.
Turkey announced that it would account for 20% of the global seedless raisin harvest, producing 236,000 tons out of a total worldwide harvest of 1,157,000 tons. The USA ranks second with a production of 202,565 tons, while China follows in third place with 185,000 tons of seedless raisins. India is projected to produce 145,000 tons, Iran 160,000 tons, South Africa 73,500 tons, Chile 56,000 tons, Argentina 48,400 tons, Uzbekistan 40,000 tons, and Australia 10,725 tons of raisins.
Seedless raisin-producing countries aim for a global export target of 598,791 tons of raisins in 2024, with Turkey setting a goal of capturing a 30% share of global exports with 176,000 tons of raisin exports. Osman Öz, Chairman of the Turkish Dried Fruits and Products Exporters Associations Sector Board, stated, “The global dried fruit market is estimated to be around $11 billion. The Turkish dried grape sector has a significant share of approximately 25% in the global dried fruit market. At the 64th International Conference of Seedless Raisin Producing Countries, we had the opportunity for detailed discussions with representatives from Australia, Chile, Greece, South Africa, and the United States, which will shape the future of our sector.”
Mehmet Ali Işık, Coordinator of Organic Products and Sustainability at EİB and President of the Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters Association, mentioned that the producing countries assessed the 2024/25 season and presented expectations regarding harvest, domestic consumption, and exports.
“In comparison to the 2023 crop, a 6.14% increase in seedless raisin supply has been observed. However, there is a significant drop of 49% in beginning stocks. Despite this decrease in stocks, we anticipate that the overall increase in production will meet the growing demand for global grape supply. Production of Golden raisins showed only a 1% increase, while total stocks decreased by 14% due to low rollover stocks. Total supply has remained unchanged. Despite the increase in Greece's sultana raisin production, an expected decrease of 8% in the total supply of sultana due to the decline in beginning stocks is anticipated.”