Iraq becomes top destination for Turkish lemons in early 2025

ANKARA, Türkiye — ANKARA — Iraq was the largest buyer of Turkish lemons in the first four months of 2025, according to the head of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association. Cengiz Balık said Turkish lemon exports to Iraq reached $81 million during the January–April period, surpassing shipments to Russia and Romania. Balık noted that exports to Iraq rose 62% year on year, climbing from $30.6 million to $50 million in the comparable period. He did not specify the broader total that brought the figure to $81 million across the four-month window. Turkey's overall lemon exports have grown from 230,000 tons in 2002 to 577,000 tons in 2024, according to association data cited by Balık. In the first four months of this year, lemons outpaced mandarins, tomatoes and peppers to become Turkey's most exported fresh fruit and vegetable. Balık, who leads the regional exporters' body, did not provide further details on pricing or volume breakdowns. The association represents fresh produce exporters in Turkey's western Aegean region.