Cherry Exports Revenue Reaches $235 Million
· GıdaTarım
Turkey recorded a strong recovery with cherry exports exceeding 68,000 tons in 2026, generating $235 million in foreign exchange revenue, following an agricultural frost disaster in 2025.
Record Increase in Cherry Exports
Turkey has achieved a historic comeback in cherry exports in 2026, healing the wounds from the agricultural frost disaster in 2025. According to data from the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association, 68,737 tons of cherries were exported between January 1 and August 10, 2026, generating $235 million in foreign exchange revenue. In the same period last year, revenue of $47,728,000 was earned for 6,040 tons of product.
Evaluating the export figures, Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association Chairman Cengiz Balık shared the following information:
"In the past period of 2026, we earned $235 million in foreign exchange revenue for cherry exports exceeding 68,000 tons. Compared to the same period last year, we experienced an approximately 11-fold increase in export volume and a fourfold increase in export value."
Market Network Expanded to 52 Countries
The recovery in cherry exports was evident not only in tonnage but also in the diversity of countries reached. The number of countries to which exports were made increased from 34 to 52, with Germany maintaining its position as the leading market with $74 million in exports. Cherry sales of $67.5 million were made to the Russian Federation, $29 million to Poland, and $26.5 million to Iraq.
Explaining the market distribution and next season's targets, Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association Chairman Cengiz Balık made the following assessment:
"While cherries were exported to 34 countries in 2025, this number increased to 52 this year. We re-exported or exported for the first time to 21 markets, including Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. The position of Turkish cherries in international markets has strengthened. Germany continued to be the largest market with $74 million in exports. We reached export volumes of $67.5 million to the Russian Federation, $29 million to Poland, and $26.5 million to Iraq. Our goal will be to reach $250 million in cherry exports in 2027, provided we do not experience any climatic difficulties."
Far East Market Targeted
As the top four export markets accounted for approximately 85% of the total share, sector representatives identified new routes to increase market diversity. Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association Chairman Cengiz Balık shared their strategy, stating their desire to capture market share in Asia and the Far East:
"While maintaining our strong position in existing markets, we are continuously working on diversifying our markets to make our exports more sustainable. We will focus on increasing the awareness of Turkish cherries and expanding our export network in high-potential markets, especially in Far Eastern countries. Our efforts to open exports to China continue. We hope to see results in the short term."