Business · Trade · 5 hrs ago
Turkey's Satsuma mandarin export season opens amid logistics hurdles
Turkey's Ege region has opened its Satsuma mandarin export season as growers and exporters prepare to send fruit abroad.
The fruit earned Turkey $912 million in export revenue in 2025, with Iraq the biggest market, followed by Russia.
Exporters expect the 2026 harvest to be 10% to 20% larger than last season.
But shipments face two major logistics obstacles: the war has closed the sea route to Russia, and a permit quota is full for trucks travelling to the European Union through Hungary.
Exporters say unresolved delays could cause losses in mandarin exports.
They also plan to meet import rules, improve farming practices and seek new buyers in Europe, the Gulf and East Asia.
Turkey’s Aegean satsuma mandarin export season has opened amid logistics problems affecting shipments to Russia and the European Union.
Cengiz Balık, head of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association, said the 2026 mandarin harvest is expected to rise by 10% to 20%.
Turkey earned $912 million from mandarin exports in 2025, when mandarins were the country’s leading fresh fruit and vegetable export product.
Balık said Russia-bound sea routes are closed because of the war, while a quota for transit permits through Hungary has been filled.
He warned that unresolved transport problems could cause export losses.
- Who
- Turkish mandarin producers and exporters, including the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association.
- What
- The Aegean satsuma mandarin export season has opened, with exporters facing logistics obstacles.
- When
- The 2026 season began on October 19, 2026.
- Where
- The Aegean region of Turkey; the cited logistics problems concern routes to Russia and the European Union via Hungary.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Turkey earned $912 million from mandarin exports.
The Aegean satsuma mandarin export season began.
- 2025 export earnings
- $912 million
- Expected 2026 harvest increase
- 10% to 20%
- Top export market in 2025
- Iraq, with $360 million
- Second-largest export market in 2025
- Russia, with $313 million
- Other cited markets
- Ukraine: $72 million; Poland: $23 million; Serbia: $19 million
What people are saying
The Aegean’s satsuma mandarins begin their export journey today in the new season.
We wish our producers and exporters a successful season.
The logistics problems on the two routes must be resolved to prevent disruption to exports; otherwise, export losses may occur.