Fresh Fruit Inspection in Turkey
Turkey is one of the largest fresh fruit producers in the Mediterranean basin, with harvests running almost all year from the Aegean coast to the high plateaus of Central and Eastern Anatolia. We inspect fruit at orchards, packhouses and cold stores on behalf of importers and retailers.
Fresh Fruits we inspect
Each guide covers regions, season, quality parameters, sampling, laboratory testing, risks and the pre-shipment procedure.
Cherries
Turkey is the world's largest producer of sweet cherries.
Sour Cherries
Turkey is a major sour cherry producer, and most of the crop goes to processors for frozen pitted fruit, juice concentrate, jam and dried fruit.
Fresh Apricots
Turkey is the world's largest apricot producer.
Fresh Figs
Turkey is the leading producer of figs.
Table Grapes
Manisa and the surrounding Aegean region produce Turkey's main export table grape, the seedless Sultani Çekirdeksiz, along with red and black varieties.
Apples
Turkey is one of the world's largest apple producers, and controlled atmosphere storage lets Isparta, Niğde and Karaman supply export markets for most of the year.
Peaches and Nectarines
Turkish peaches and nectarines come from the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean regions, giving a long season for truck exports to Europe, Russia and the Middle East.
Plums
Turkey exports both the early green plum, harvested immature and eaten crunchy with salt, and ripe European and Japanese plums later in summer.
Pomegranates
Turkey is a leading pomegranate exporter, built largely on the Hicaznar variety, which offers deep red arils, good acidity and long storage life.
Lemons
Turkey is among the world's leading lemon exporters, with Mersin as the centre of production.
Mandarins
Turkey is one of the world's largest mandarin exporters, shipping Satsuma, Clementine and late varieties from the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts through the autumn and winter.
Oranges
Mediterranean Turkey produces Navel and Valencia oranges for fresh export and juice processing, mostly from Antalya, Adana, Mersin and Hatay.
Strawberries
Turkey is a large strawberry producer.
Melons and Watermelons
Turkey is one of the world's largest watermelon and melon producers.
Quinces
Turkey is the world's largest quince producer.
Production across Turkey
Fresh Fruits in this guide come from 26 provinces across 7 geographic regions. We plan inspector travel around the harvest calendar.
Coverage across TurkeyHow we sample and inspect
Sampling follows the method in the contract or, by default, the OECD and EU conformity check approach: a number of packages drawn at random from each lot in proportion to lot size, opened and examined unit by unit for class, sizing and defects. For bulk fruit, a minimum sample weight per lot is taken. Pulp temperature is recorded on arrival at the loading point.
- Confirm order specification, class, size bands, variety and packaging with the buyer
- Check that the lot is fully packed, labelled and palletised before sampling
- Draw random cartons across pallets and record pulp temperature
- Assess minimum requirements, class defects, sizing and uniformity
- Measure Brix, firmness or juice content where the specification requires it
- Check packing, net weight, labelling and traceability codes
- Supervise reefer pre-cooling, loading pattern and seal
- Issue a photographic report the same day with a clear conformity statement
Standards we work to
Services for fresh fruits
Crop and Orchard Status Monitoring
Field visits to orchards, vineyards, greenhouses and farms for buyers who have contracted a future crop and want to see its condition before harvest, with dated photographs, video and a written status report..
Read moreFresh Produce Inspection
Inspection of fresh fruit and vegetables at orchards, greenhouses, packhouses and cold stores, using UNECE and EU marketing standards and your own retail specifications..
Read morePre-Shipment Inspection
Final random inspection of food, produce and feed before it leaves the supplier, when the goods are packed and ready to load..
Read moreLoading Supervision
Supervision of truck, reefer container, bulk vessel and flexitank loading, so the goods that were inspected are the goods that are shipped..
Read moreLaboratory Coordination
Sampling and coordination of laboratory testing through competent external laboratories: microbiology, pesticide residues, heavy metals, mycotoxins, nutrition, moisture, foreign matter, authenticity and packaging migration..
Read moreSupplier Audits
Supplier qualification, food safety audits, quality management system audits, GMP audits and GAP assessments for buyers sourcing from Turkey..
Read moreDiscuss your fresh fruits requirements
Tell us the products, suppliers and shipment plan. We reply with a proposed inspection and testing programme.
Request a quality control proposal
For a fast proposal, include the product and specification, supplier location, destination market and expected dates. We reply in English, usually within one business day.