Irak steals the first place from Russia

 

Iraq has become the first importer of Turkish fruit and vegetables.

 

At the annual review meeting of the National Council of Turkish Citrus, held in Mersin this week, the export figures of 2015 and 2016 showed that while Russia was the largest country of Turkish citrus import of Turkish with more than 90 million dollars in exports, the figures show that this season Iraq took the lead in being the most important importing country with more than 84 million. According to the Chairman, Mr. Kemal Kacmaz, exports shared of citrus fruits, which should be USD 10 billion in 2023, is expected to be USD 3.5 billion this year. 

 

The citrus industry is particularly important for the region of Çukurova, in southern Turkey, which produces 90 percent of Turkish citrus. From January to April 2016, 527,000 tons of citrus were exported for a value of USD 273 million.