Turkey Surges to $60M in Dried Tomato Exports in First Half

Turkey’s 18 301 tons of dried tomatoes generated $60 989 000 in first‑half exports, cementing its status as a high‑value producer.

Dried Tomato Dominance: Turkey’s $60M Export Surge

Turkey, the world’s third largest tomato producer, is adding value by exporting dried tomatoes from key regions like Antalya, Mersin, and İzmir to major markets in the US, Italy, and UK.

Global Demand: From Pasta to Pizza

■Italy: $8 864 000 – the top buyer, heavily used in pizza and pasta

■US: $16 353 000 – highest export value

■UK: $5 344 000 – second largest market

This spread highlights the product’s versatility across European and North American food sectors.

Volume & Value: 18 301 Tons, $60 989 000

■18 301 tons exported to 91 countries

■Each 15 kg of fresh tomatoes yields 1 kg of dried product

■First‑half goal $60 M; year‑end target $100 M

These figures underscore the efficiency of sun‑drying and quality segmentation in generating high‑value output.

Production Dynamics: Sun‑Drying and Quality Segmentation

■Harvested tomatoes are transported by truck and split by hand

■Salted or sulfurized, then sun‑dried for about a week

■Cleaned, packed, and stored in cold‑air silos by quality segment

The 15:1 drying ratio delivers high productivity.

Growth Outlook: 100M Dollar Target

■Abdulvahap Olgun, Torbalı Chamber of Commerce: “We aim for $100 M by year‑end.”

■Kemal Saygıner: “We separate by quality, store in cold silos, and keep inventory ready for orders.”

This approach lets producers lower costs while scaling exports.

Fatih Kılıç: Turkey’s rapid rise in dried‑tomato exports signals a bright spot in the food‑processing sector. High yield, low cost, and rising demand are reinforcing a positive macro‑economic narrative for the region.