Producers of dried fruits from Türkiye are eyeing the ongoing seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) as a gateway to tap into China's vast and increasingly health-conscious consumer market.
Running from Nov 5 to 10, the seventh CIIE has attracted 3,496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions. It also sets a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders attending the event.
Dried fruits including figs, raisins, and apricots from Türkiye have been exhibited at the CIIE for four consecutive years.
In the Aegean region, one of Türkiye's most renowned dried fruit production areas, farmers have been making careful preparations to sun-dry their fruits.
"We carefully collect the figs and put them into sheds to protect them from rain, moisture and dew. The temperature inside the shed is five to six degrees higher than outside, so the figs dry quicker with better quality," said fig farmer Ekrem Singin.
The sun-dried fruits will then be sent to the factory for further processing, where temperature control plays a crucial role for the quality of the products.
"We use cold storage technology to ensure the freshness of the figs so that the dried figs taste like they are picked up on that day," said Ozkan Koz, supply chain manager of a local dried fruits production factory.
Apart from dried figs, the raisins and dried apricots from Türkiye are also of high quality. The raisins are soaked in a natural solution to preserve their color and sweetness, while the dried apricots undergo several procedures of cleaning, sorting, and sterilization to meet the safety standards of international markets.
Rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, Turkish dried fruits have gained popularity in the global health food market in recent years, especially with a significant rise in exports to the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
"Consumers in China are very concerned about their health. We want to offer them our organic products, which are free from pesticides and toxins," said Mehmet Ali Isik, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters' Association.
As a five-time participant in the CIIE, the association hopes to leverage this platform to introduce this delicious food to a wider audience.
"As one of the largest producers in Asia and in the world, China has been opening up to the world. We believe that this expo is an excellent opportunity to tap into and take advantage of the Chinese market. We will be able to see the latest innovations from all over the world and understand the trends in the food industry," said Isik.
Turkish dried fruit producers eye CIIE as gateway to reach health-minded Chinese consumers
