12.08.2026 Critical Meeting Ahead of the 2026/2027 Dried Fig Season

The 2026/2027 Dried Fig Sector Meeting, organized by Aydın Commodity Exchange, was held with broad participation ahead of the new season to discuss the key issues on the sector’s agenda. The meeting covered major topics ranging from production and exports to quality, food safety, ilek (male fig) supply and transportation, with sector representatives directly voicing the challenges they face and their proposed solutions.

The meeting was organized by Aydın Commodity Exchange to discuss the problems, demands and expectations of its members in the dried fig sector. Members of Aydın Commodity Exchange, representatives of public institutions and organizations, heads of chambers and commodity exchanges, representatives of chambers of agriculture, exporters’ associations, sector representatives, and members of the press attended the meeting.

“Aydın Is an Important Center for Türkiye’s Dried Fig Production and Exports”

In his opening remarks, Aydın Commodity Exchange Assembly President A. Bahri Erdel emphasized the strategic importance of dried figs for the economies of Aydın and Türkiye.

Erdel stated that a total of 71,496 tons of dried figs were produced in Türkiye during the 2025/2026 season, of which 57,716 tons were produced in Aydın. He also noted that Türkiye exported 52,440 tons of dried figs during the same season, with 40,360 tons of these exports originating from Aydın.

Erdel stated that the average price per kilogram for ready producer sales during the 2025/2026 season was 233.82 TL. He added that, through the dried fig sector meetings held by Aydın Commodity Exchange at the beginning of each season, the demands and expectations received from members are conveyed to the relevant institutions and organizations.

“Emphasis on Quality and Reliability in Dried Figs”

Referring to the aflatoxin and ochratoxin issues observed in dried figs during the previous season, Erdel stated that Aydın Commodity Exchange continues to support the sector, noting that a 50% discount is being provided on laboratory testing and cold storage services.

Erdel stated that efforts continue, together with all stakeholders from producers to exporters, to strengthen the position of figs in global markets. He also provided information about free e-commerce and consultancy support, the Yöresel Aydın Platform, and the activities of the Industrial Property Advisory Unit, which operates within the Exchange in cooperation with the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office.

Sharing data on global dried fig trade, Erdel said:

“Between 2021 and 2025, Türkiye ranked first in terms of volume, with an average export volume of 88,461 tons and a 45% share, and in terms of value, with an average export value of USD 371 million and a 45% share.

Türkiye ranked fifth among the top 10 exporting countries, with an average unit price of USD 4,384. We will continue our cooperation and consultations with all relevant institutions and organizations without interruption to ensure that the sector can move forward on a stronger footing.”

Following Erdel’s speech, the meeting program continued with presentations and discussions on topics concerning sector representatives and Exchange members. As part of the program, Muhammet Şerif Gökçek from the KOSGEB Aydın Provincial Directorate gave a presentation. The presentation provided information to sector representatives and Exchange members about KOSGEB support programs and related activities.

“Inspections at Ilek (Male Fig) Markets Continue”

Speaking at the meeting, Aydın Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Ayhan Temiz shared important data on Aydın’s strong position in fig production.

Temiz also stated that the Fig Governorate Regulation issued by the Aydın Governorship is an important development for the sector. He noted that the regulation aims to ensure the healthy and controlled supply of ilek (male fig), the registered and documented transportation of ilek, and quality and food safety throughout the harvesting, drying, and storage processes.

“Sector Representatives Raise Their Concerns in the Second Session”

During the second session of the meeting, Yusuf Gabay, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters’ Association, gave a presentation on the sector’s export outlook and assessments regarding the new season.

Following the presentation, questions from sector representatives and members, as well as the problems they face, their demands, and expectations, were discussed. The session was moderated by Erhan Demir, Head of Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; Bahri Erdel, Assembly President of Aydın Commodity Exchange; Ahmet Şenel, Deputy Assembly President of Aydın Commodity Exchange; Yusuf Gabay, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters’ Association; Armağan Tanrıkulu, Head of the Plant Production and Plant Health Branch of the Aydın Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry; and Mümin Güngör, Engineer at the Food and Feed Branch of the Aydın Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.

The session was held in a question-and-answer format, during which sector representatives and members directly voiced the problems faced by the dried fig sector, their expectations for the new season, and their proposed solutions. The issues raised were addressed by representatives of the relevant institutions, while Erhan Demir, Head of Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, also answered questions from sector representatives and shared his views and assessments.

The session covered a wide range of topics, including quality and reliability in dried figs, food safety, efforts to combat aflatoxin and ochratoxin, ilek (male fig) supply and transportation, production, harvesting, drying and storage processes, and the sustainability of exports.

At the end of the meeting, Aydın Commodity Exchange emphasized that it would continue its cooperation and consultations with all relevant institutions and organizations to address the issues raised during the sector meetings and strengthen the structure of the dried fig sector.

The meeting concluded with wishes for the 2026/2027 dried fig season to be successful and productive for all stakeholders in the sector, particularly producers.