Raisins are an indispensable ingredient in breads, cakes, cookies, pies, tarts and different pastries in the bakery sector. They are an excellent addition to a wide range of candies, puddings and other wonderful confectioneries. They are mixed or added to many cereals and cereal based products like muesli logs, fruit filled cereals, nuggets and extruded breakfast cereals. They are also delicious sweeteners and texturizers in different types of yogurt, ice creams and even in some types of cheese.
PRODUCTION
Turkey has 1200 different types of grapes and has been among the five major producers of grapes throughout the world with an annual average production of about 4.1 million tons. Among these varieties, seedless "Yuvarlak and Sultani" are the main varieties used for raisins. Seedless raisins are grown especially in the Aegean Region of Turkey, which is blessed with some of the most fertile land in the world, plenty of sunshine and abundant water supplies.
The original name of the famous seedless Turkish raisins, “Sultana, Sultanna, Sultanine”, comes from the fact that they were served at the Ottoman Sultans’ magnificent tables during the times of the Ottoman Empire.
About 60 % of the total production in this region is seedless. Depending on foreign demand, the tendency in Turkey is towards more production without reducing quality. This has been realized both by increasing viticulture areas throughout the country and utilizing modern viticulture techniques to increase the yield. Raisin production in Turkey totalled 287 thousand tons in 2012, and with this figure Turkey accounts for nearly 23% of total world raisin production.
EXPORTS
Dried fruits are among Turkey’s traditional agricultural export products. Turkey is the most important dried fruit exporter in the world. In terms of quantity nearly 23% of world dried fruit exports come from Turkey. The export figures of dried fruits both in terms of quantity and value, generally has shown an upward trend annually.
Turkey exports dried fruits to the five continents of the world and to 118 countries. Over 65% of the exports are directed to European Union Countries. 49% of exports were directed to 4 countries, namely UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands in 2012. Apart from the EU countries, the USA, the Russian Federation, Australia and Canada are the other important destinations for Turkish dried fruits.
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