The 75 Agricultural Unions within the scope of Aegean Exporters' Associations, which are the pioneers in sustainability, which realize 7 percent of Turkey's organic product exports, have added a new one to their studies on food safety and pesticides. A signing ceremony was held for the Application of Biotechnical Control Method against Cluster Moth Pest in the Vineyard Areas of Saruhanlı and Sarıgöl Districts.
The exporter is together with the manufacturer in the field 365 days a year
Manisa Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Metin Öztürk said, “The project with a budget of 2 million 16 thousand liras will be implemented on an area of 4 thousand 200 decares. With this project, it is aimed to reduce the number of active substances and to prevent the use of pesticides unless necessary, by applying the environmentally friendly method of preventing mating without the need for chemical pesticides in the control of the Cluster Moth. With the projects we have realized with EİB, our exporters and manufacturers meet at a common point. The disconnection between the exporter and the producer is resolved. We have been in cooperation with EIB for many years. I would like to thank all our Union Presidents, Members of the Board of Directors, and exporters. They are with us in the field 365 days a year. This dedication and closeness makes our work on the field easy.” said.
Quality product brings added value
Aegean Exporters' Unions Coordinator President Jak Eskinazi said, "While Turkey exports 2022 billion dollars of agricultural products with an increase of 15 percent in 34, the Aegean Exporters' Associations alone realized 2 percent of Turkey's agricultural product exports with an export of 17 billion 6 million dollars, an increase of 727 percent. He became the champion of Turkey. To reach 19 billion dollars, we need government incentives in Good Agricultural Practices and Organic Production, and cooperation with all stakeholders. Quality products also bring added value. We must combine agriculture and digitalization to increase the quality, added value, customer satisfaction, transparency and traceability of our products and protect the interests of the country with all our stakeholders. We are establishing this ecosystem in all our sectors in order to maintain our position in our biggest export market, the European Union, and to make sustainable and environmentally friendly production. Sustainable export is ensured in this way. The efforts of our Provincial Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry and our producers encourage us more. Thus, both the producer, the exporter and our country win.” he said.
The higher the added value of our products, the more demanded they are.
Aegean Exporters' Unions Deputy Coordinator and Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association President Hayrettin Plane said, “The Aegean Region is the leader in the export of agricultural products in Turkey. Our exports of agricultural products reached 1 billion 7 million dollars in the last 98-year period. While Turkey was exporting 34 billion dollars, our Aegean exporters made 5 percent of Turkey's agricultural product exports. Organic and value-added products play a major role in our export growth. For the last 21 years, we have carried out many projects on the fight against residues, food losses and educational activities. It is our duty to increase the added value of the labor of our producers. The higher the added value of our products, the more demanded they are. We create employment at all stages of the supply chain by standing shoulder to shoulder.” commented.
Organic production started in our first dry fruit sector
Aegean Exporters' Associations Organic Products and Sustainability Coordinator and Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters' Association President Mehmet Ali Işık said, “Turkey has 35 years of experience in the organic sector thanks to the Aegean. The Aegean's view of agriculture and food is entirely based on sustainability. Organic production first started in our dry fruit sector. The reason why we are the world leader in dried fruit stems from the infrastructure we have created together with our universities, research institutes, exporters and producers for 30-40 years. EIB manages the coordination in sustainability and organic agriculture in Turkey. In cooperation with all our stakeholders, we will increase our organic exports to 1 billion dollars.” said.
The target in the export of grapes and its products, which are the most exported among agricultural products, is 1 billion dollars.
It is aimed to increase the export of seedless raisins, fresh grapes, wine, molasses, vine leaves, must, grape juice and grapes and their products, which generate approximately 750 million dollars in foreign currency, to 1 billion dollars through joint projects.
Manisa Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Metin Öztürk, Aegean Exporters' Associations Coordinator President Jak Eskinazi, Aegean Exporters' Associations Deputy Coordinator and Aegean Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Exporters' Association President Hayrettin Aircraft, Aegean Exporters' Associations Organic Products and Sustainability Coordinator and Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Mehmet Ali Işık, President of the Exporters' Union, Cengiz Balık, Vice President of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association, and Sadık Demircan, Member of the Board of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association.