26.08.2026 The First Purchasing Ceremony of Dried Fig for the 2026-2027 Season was Held at Aydın Commodity Exchange

In Aydın, the world’s leading fig-producing region, the “First Purchasing Ceremony of Dried Fig for the 2026-2027 Season” was hosted by Aydın Commodity Exchange. In order to support dried fig production and encourage producers, the first product of the season was symbolically purchased from producers at 850 TL per kilogram.

Aydın Commodity Exchange organized the First Purchasing Ceremony of Dried Fig to support the production of dried figs, one of Aydın’s agricultural products, encourage producers, and start the season on a prosperous note. Aydın Governor Dr. Osman Varol, provincial protocol members, heads of public institutions, presidents of chambers and commodity exchanges, and numerous producers attended the ceremony held at Aydın Commodity Exchange. As part of the ceremony, the first dried fig of the season was symbolically purchased from producers at 850 TL per kilogram.

Fig is Aydın’s Most Valuable Product

Speaking at the ceremony, Aydın Governor Dr. Osman Varol stated that fig is the pride of Aydın and said:

“Fig is one of Aydın’s greatest values. Many people make a living from this product. This year’s harvest has started very well. There are approximately 6.6 million fig trees across an area of approximately 394,000 decares in Aydın. Together with approximately 950,000 seedlings, fig production has spread across a wide area of the province. We are working to address the problems faced by the product and the sector. I hope this harvest season will be fruitful. At the first fig purchasing ceremony I have attended, I am pleased to announce that the first figs of the season will be symbolically purchased at 850 TL per kilogram.”

AYDIN LEADS IN FIG PRODUCTION

Fevzi Çondur, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aydın Commodity Exchange, stated that Türkiye, which ranks first in the world in fig production, meets 58% of Türkiye’s dried fig production solely from Aydın.

Sharing data for the 2025/2026 season, Çondur said, “Looking at the 2025/2026 season, a total of 71,496 tons of dried figs were registered in our country, of which 57,716 tons were registered in Aydın. In our country, which ranks first in the world in fig production and exports, a total of 53,663 tons of dried figs were exported during the 2025/2026 season, of which 40,360 tons were exported from Aydın.”

ATTENTION DRAWN TO AFLATOXIN AND QUALITY ISSUES

Addressing the issues of quality and toxins in dried figs, Çondur stated that aflatoxin problems may occur, particularly in dry and hot years.

Çondur said, “Aflatoxin is not a chemical caused by pesticides, but is related to the drying and storage processes of the products. I would particularly like to emphasize that products returned from export are not offered for consumption in Türkiye. We occasionally encounter questions and concerns regarding this issue; however, these products are absolutely not consumed. Fig is an extremely valuable agricultural product for Aydın. At this point, we believe that awareness of domestic and national consumption should be increased. In addition, the benefits of figs are numerous. The directive issued by the Governor’s Office is also of great importance in protecting the quality of figs. I believe that our producers are showing the necessary sensitivity regarding this issue."

THE FIRST DRIED FIGS OF THE SEASON WERE PURCHASED AT A SYMBOLIC PRICE

Stating that a total of 170 kilograms of dried figs were purchased from 16 producers during the first dried fig purchasing ceremony of the season, Çondur said, “Nine of the producers who delivered the first product of the season are from Köşk, five from Germencik, one from İncirliova, and one from Umurlu. A total of 170 kilograms of dried figs were symbolically purchased at 850 TL per kilogram under the leadership of our Governor.”

Producers Who Delivered the First Figs of the Season

Celil Elbeği, Uğur Yılmaz, Bahri Okumuş, Serkan Kıyer, Nimet Kaygın, Alim Gecegiden, Burhan Türkmen, Ali Kızıl, and Ahmet Yılmaz from Köşk; Kazımcan Adalı, Hüseyin Nabat, Ercan Bekar, Aslı Demirel, and Arda Ayna from Germencik; İsmail Bacak from Umurlu; and Mehmet Atar from İncirliova were among the producers who delivered the first dried figs of the season to Aydın Commodity Exchange.

The ceremony ended with a souvenir photo and wishes for a prosperous new season.