Key Takeaways
- Turkey's dried fruit harvest season spans June through September, but export windows extend from October through March for most products — timing your purchase orders 3-6 months ahead secures the best pricing and allocation.
- Pre-season contracting (April-June) typically yields 8-15% savings compared to spot market purchases during peak export months.
- New crop dried figs, apricots, and raisins offer superior color, moisture content, and flavor profiles versus cold-storage inventory from previous seasons.
- Each product category has a distinct pricing curve — understanding when prices bottom out versus when they spike allows procurement teams to optimize annual spend.
- Aligning RFQ timelines with major trade fairs (Anuga, Biofach, SIAL) creates leverage for price negotiation and supplier qualification.
Introduction: Why Harvest Timing Shapes Your Procurement Strategy
For procurement managers sourcing natural products from Turkey, understanding the dried fruit harvest and export calendar is not optional — it is the foundation of a cost-effective annual sourcing plan. Turkey ranks as the world's leading exporter of dried figs and apricots, the second-largest exporter of sultana raisins, and a top-five producer of hazelnuts. The country's Mediterranean and continental climates create concentrated harvest windows that directly dictate global supply availability and pricing for the following 6-12 months.
The difference between pre-season contracting and reactive spot buying can represent 10-20% of your annual ingredient spend. When you send your RFQ, when you lock in pricing, and when you arrange logistics all depend on one fundamental variable: the Turkish harvest calendar.
This guide provides a month-by-month breakdown of harvest periods, processing timelines, export windows, and pricing dynamics for every major dried fruit and nut category exported from Turkey. Whether you are a food manufacturer planning 2027 production, a private-label retailer building seasonal assortments, or a distributor managing inventory turns, this calendar will help you buy smarter.
For a broader overview of sourcing dried fruit from Turkey, see our complete wholesale sourcing guide.
Month-by-Month Harvest and Export Calendar
The table below summarizes the critical timing for Turkey's major dried fruit and nut exports. Harvest months indicate when fresh fruit is picked; processing covers drying, sorting, and packing; and the export window shows when new-crop product is available for international shipment.
| Product | Growing Region | Harvest | Processing | Export Window | Peak Export | |---------|---------------|---------|-----------|---------------|-------------| | Dried Figs | Aydin (Aegean) | Aug - Sep | Sep - Oct | Oct - Mar | Nov - Jan | | Dried Apricots | Malatya (Eastern Anatolia) | Jul - Aug | Aug - Sep | Sep - Mar | Oct - Dec | | Sultana Raisins | Aegean (Manisa, Izmir) | Jul - Sep | Aug - Oct | Oct - Mar | Nov - Feb | | Dried Mulberries | Eastern Turkey | Jun - Jul | Jul - Aug | Aug - Feb | Sep - Nov | | Dried Cherries | Afyon, Konya | Jun - Jul | Jul - Aug | Aug - Jan | Sep - Nov | | Hazelnuts | Black Sea (Ordu, Giresun) | Aug - Sep | Sep - Nov | Sep - Jun | Oct - Mar | | Dried Tomatoes | Aegean (Izmir, Manisa) | Jul - Sep | Aug - Oct | Oct - Apr | Nov - Feb |
Understanding this calendar allows you to reverse-engineer your entire procurement timeline. If you need new-crop Malatya dried apricots on your production line by January, you must place your purchase order by September, finalize quality specifications by August, and send your initial RFQ by June at the latest. For detailed quality specifications on apricots, refer to our Malatya dried apricots B2B sourcing guide.
Pre-Season Contracting: The Early-Bird Advantage
Pre-season contracts — agreements signed before harvest begins — represent the single most effective cost-reduction tool available to international buyers of Turkish dried fruit. Here is why forward contracting works:
Price advantage. Turkish exporters offer pre-season pricing 8-15% below anticipated peak-season rates to secure cash flow and reduce their own risk exposure. For a buyer purchasing 20 metric tons of dried figs annually, this translates to savings of $8,000-$15,000 per year at current market rates.
Guaranteed allocation. Premium grades (such as Protoben and Lerida figs, or Size 1 Malatya apricots) sell out quickly after harvest. Pre-season buyers receive first allocation from the best lots. Spot buyers in December or January are left with whatever remains — often lower grades at higher prices.
Specification lock-in. Pre-season agreements allow you to specify exact size ranges, moisture content targets, color standards, and packaging requirements before processing begins. This is particularly important for private-label buyers with strict brand standards.
Optimal contracting windows by product:
- Dried Figs: April - June (contracts for October delivery)
- Dried Apricots: March - May (contracts for September delivery)
- Sultana Raisins: April - June (contracts for October delivery)
- Dried Mulberries: March - May (contracts for August delivery)
- Hazelnuts: May - July (contracts for September delivery)
- Dried Tomatoes: April - June (contracts for October delivery)
For buyers evaluating quality grades before committing to pre-season contracts, our guide to dried fruit quality grades for figs, apricots, and raisins provides the technical specifications needed for informed purchasing decisions.
New Crop vs. Cold Storage: Quality and Shelf Life Implications
A critical distinction in the Turkish dried fruit export market is between new-crop product (harvested and processed within the current season) and cold-storage inventory (product from the previous season held in controlled environments). The differences are commercially significant:
Color and appearance. New-crop dried apricots display the vibrant orange color that retail buyers demand. Cold-storage apricots darken progressively, moving from bright orange to brownish tones over 8-12 months regardless of SO2 treatment levels.
Moisture content. New-crop figs and apricots arrive at optimal moisture (22-26% for figs, 20-25% for apricots). Cold-storage product gradually loses moisture, resulting in harder texture and reduced weight — meaning you receive less usable product per metric ton.
Flavor profile. Sugar crystallization and oxidation in storage degrade the natural sweetness and aromatic compounds. For food manufacturers using dried fruit as a premium ingredient, this difference is detectable in finished products.
Shelf life from receipt. New-crop product offers 12-18 months of remaining shelf life upon arrival at destination. Cold-storage product may offer only 6-9 months, depending on how long it has been held.
When cold storage makes sense. Despite these drawbacks, cold-storage product serves specific purposes: filling gaps between crop years, cost-sensitive applications where appearance is not critical (chopped fruit for baking, paste production), and maintaining supply during poor harvest years when new-crop availability is limited.
Pricing Seasonality: When to Buy for Maximum Value
Turkish dried fruit pricing follows predictable seasonal patterns driven by harvest timing, TMO (Turkish Grain Board) base price announcements, and international demand cycles. Understanding these patterns is essential for procurement budget planning.
Dried Figs (Aydin)
- Lowest prices: October - November (new crop flooding the market)
- Highest prices: June - August (limited inventory, pre-harvest speculation)
- Price spread: 15-25% between seasonal low and high
Dried Apricots (Malatya)
- Lowest prices: September - October (new crop available, high supply)
- Highest prices: May - July (inventory depleted, crop uncertainty)
- Price spread: 20-35% between seasonal low and high (apricots are more volatile due to frost risk)
Sultana Raisins (Aegean)
- Lowest prices: October - December (harvest complete, processing output peaks)
- Highest prices: July - September (pre-harvest, minimal stock)
- Price spread: 10-20% between seasonal low and high
Hazelnuts (Black Sea)
- Lowest prices: September - November (harvest and TMO price announcement)
- Highest prices: April - July (speculative trading, reduced supply)
- Price spread: 25-40% (hazelnuts are the most volatile Turkish export commodity)
Dried Tomatoes (Aegean)
- Lowest prices: November - January (new crop fully processed)
- Highest prices: August - October (between crops)
- Price spread: 15-30% between seasonal low and high
The strategic implication: buyers who can commit capital in October-November across multiple product categories capture significant savings. However, this requires confidence in annual volume forecasts and adequate warehouse capacity at destination.
Procurement Timeline Recommendations
Based on industry-standard lead times and the harvest calendar outlined above, here is the recommended procurement timeline for Turkish dried fruit imports:
T-6 months (April-May for autumn exports):
- Issue RFQ to 3-5 qualified Turkish suppliers
- Specify volume, quality grade, packaging, and delivery requirements
- Request pre-season indicative pricing
- Evaluate samples from previous crop year
T-4 months (June-July):
- Evaluate pre-season offers and negotiate pricing
- Conduct supplier audits (virtual or on-site)
- Finalize specifications and sign contracts
- Confirm Incoterms and payment terms
T-2 months (August-September):
- Monitor harvest progress and yield reports
- Confirm shipping schedule and book container space
- Arrange pre-shipment inspection if required
- Finalize documentation requirements (phytosanitary, organic certificates, COA)
T-0 (October-November):
- Approve pre-shipment samples from new crop
- Release production and shipment instructions
- Confirm letter of credit or arrange payment per agreed terms
- Track container from port of loading to destination
T+1 month (November-December):
- Receive goods at destination port
- Conduct incoming quality inspection
- Release inventory to production or distribution
This timeline ensures you are never scrambling for product during peak demand periods. For buyers working with wholesale dried figs from Turkey, the August-September window for harvest monitoring is particularly critical, as fig yields vary significantly between years.
Trade Fair Alignment: Leveraging Exhibition Timing
Major food industry trade fairs align strategically with the Turkish dried fruit export calendar. Smart procurement teams use these events for supplier discovery, relationship building, and negotiation:
Biofach (Nuremberg, February)
- Timing: Mid-export season. New-crop organic product is available for sampling.
- Use case: Qualify new organic/conventional suppliers, negotiate volumes for remaining season, plan next pre-season contracts.
- Products in focus: All categories — organic certified Turkish dried fruit is a major Biofach category.
SIAL (Paris, October — biennial)
- Timing: Start of new-crop export season for most products.
- Use case: First look at new-crop quality, initial pricing discussions, supplier shortlisting.
- Products in focus: Figs, apricots, and raisins from the just-completed harvest.
Anuga (Cologne, October — biennial, alternates with SIAL)
- Timing: Identical to SIAL — new-crop launch period.
- Use case: Same as SIAL. Turkish exhibitor presence is typically 80-120 companies.
- Products in focus: Full range of Turkish dried fruit, nuts, and processed products.
Gulfood (Dubai, February)
- Timing: Mid-export season. Strong focus on MENA market requirements.
- Use case: Negotiation for Q2-Q3 deliveries, particularly for Middle Eastern and Asian markets.
- Products in focus: Figs, apricots, hazelnuts — high demand from Gulf state importers.
The optimal strategy: attend October fairs (Anuga/SIAL) for new-crop assessment and supplier qualification, then use February fairs (Biofach/Gulfood) for finalizing contracts and planning pre-season agreements for the upcoming harvest.
Building a Resilient Annual Sourcing Plan
Effective procurement of Turkish dried fruit requires balancing three competing priorities: cost optimization (buying when prices are lowest), quality assurance (securing new-crop allocation), and supply security (maintaining buffer stock against harvest shortfalls).
A balanced approach for most B2B buyers:
- Commit 60-70% of annual volume via pre-season contracts — lock in pricing and allocation for core products during the April-June contracting window.
- Reserve 20-30% for spot purchases during peak export season — take advantage of the October-December pricing dip when supply is abundant and negotiate opportunistically.
- Maintain 10% flexibility — keep budget available for mid-year spot purchases to cover demand spikes or to capitalize on unexpected price drops.
This structure provides cost predictability for budget planning while preserving flexibility to respond to market conditions. It also protects against the two biggest risks in Turkish dried fruit sourcing: harvest shortfall (pre-season contracts include force majeure provisions) and quality variability (spot purchases allow you to cherry-pick the best available lots).
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to buy dried figs from Turkey?
The optimal purchasing window for Turkish dried figs is October through November, when new-crop product first enters the export market from the Aydin region. Prices are at their seasonal low because supply is at its peak — all exporters are competing for early-season business. If you can commit to pre-season contracts in April-June, you can secure an additional 8-15% discount below even the October spot price. Avoid purchasing between June and August, when inventory from the previous season is depleted and prices reach their annual highs.
How far in advance should I send an RFQ for Turkish dried fruit?
For standard orders, send your RFQ at least 4-6 months before your required delivery date. For pre-season contracts targeting the best pricing and allocation, RFQs should go out 6-8 months before expected shipment. For example, if you need new-crop dried apricots delivered in November, your RFQ should reach suppliers by May-June at the latest. This timeline accounts for negotiation rounds, sample evaluation, contract finalization, and the supplier's need to plan their harvest procurement from farmers.
What is the difference between new crop and old crop Turkish dried apricots?
New-crop Turkish dried apricots are processed from the current harvest year (July-August harvest, available for export from September). They feature vibrant orange color, optimal moisture content (20-25%), soft texture, and 12-18 months of remaining shelf life. Old-crop or cold-storage apricots are leftover inventory from the previous season. While still food-safe, they exhibit progressive darkening, moisture loss, harder texture, and reduced shelf life of 6-9 months. New-crop commands a 5-10% price premium but delivers significantly better sensory quality for retail and foodservice applications.
Do Turkish dried fruit prices fluctuate significantly during the year?
Yes, Turkish dried fruit prices follow pronounced seasonal patterns. Apricots show the widest swing at 20-35% between seasonal lows (September-October) and highs (May-July), driven by frost risk and crop uncertainty. Hazelnuts are even more volatile at 25-40% due to speculative trading and weather sensitivity. Figs and raisins are relatively stable at 10-25% variation. The key driver is the ratio of supply to committed demand at any given point in the season. Buyers who understand these cycles and time their purchases accordingly can reduce their annual procurement costs by 10-20% compared to ad-hoc buying.
How do I verify the quality of Turkish dried fruit before committing to a full container order?
Request pre-shipment samples from your shortlisted suppliers — reputable Turkish exporters provide samples free of charge for serious inquiries. Evaluate samples against your specifications for size, color, moisture content, texture, sugar content, and any contaminant limits (aflatoxin for figs and nuts, SO2 for apricots). For first-time suppliers, consider engaging a third-party inspection agency (SGS, Bureau Veritas, or Intertek all have Turkish offices) to verify the production lot matches your approved sample. Many experienced buyers visit Turkey during harvest season (August-September) to inspect facilities firsthand and build supplier relationships.
Ready to plan your next procurement cycle for Turkish dried fruit? Our sourcing team can provide current-season pricing, sample availability, and customized export timelines for your specific requirements. Get in touch with our team to start the conversation.