Fresh Fruits | Inspection guide

Apple Quality Inspection in Turkey

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.

Request an inspection Quality parameters

Season: August to May
Main regions: Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, Aegean
Category: Fresh Fruits
Key tests: Pesticide residues including post-harvest treatments; Firmness and Brix

01Product overview

Main varieties include Red Delicious types, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala and Fuji
Graded by diameter or weight, colour coverage and class
Quality after storage depends heavily on harvest maturity and storage management

02Turkish production regions

Isparta is the largest apple province, followed by Niğde, Karaman, Denizli, Antalya (Elmalı) and Konya.

03Harvest and production season

Harvest from August to October; controlled atmosphere stored fruit is shipped until late spring.

Typical window: August to May. Timing shifts with altitude, variety and weather. See the full Turkish harvest calendar.

04Export characteristics

Exported by truck and sea reefer to the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and other markets.

05Typical quality parameters

Quality parameters for Apples
Parameter	What is checked
Size	Diameter or weight per contract
Colour	Percentage of surface with characteristic colour
Firmness	Penetrometer reading, particularly after storage
Maturity	Starch index and Brix where specified
Defects	Bitter pit, scald, sunburn, hail, russeting, scab, bruising, decay

Limits and tolerances come from your contract and the applicable standard. We do not apply generic values where a contract specification exists.

06Visual inspection criteria

Bruising from bin handling
Storage disorders such as superficial scald and bitter pit
Scab and other skin defects
Codling moth entry holes

07Sampling methods

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.

08Laboratory testing

Pesticide residues including post-harvest treatments
Firmness and Brix
Multi-residue pesticide screening (LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS)
Soluble solids (Brix) and titratable acidity
Firmness by penetrometer

Testing is coordinated through laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 for the required method. See laboratory coordination.

09Food safety and quality risks

Storage disorders appearing after removal from controlled atmosphere
Post-harvest fungicide residues
Bruising

10Packaging and labelling

Tray-packed cartons of around 18 to 20 kg, bulk cartons and retail bags.

11Storage and transportation

Cold or controlled atmosphere storage near 0 to 1°C depending on variety. We check fruit condition and firmness after storage.

12Pre-shipment inspection procedure

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

13Relevant international standards

Fresh produceUNECE standards for fresh fruit and vegetablesCommercial quality standards (FFV series) defining classes, minimum requirements, sizing and tolerances.Fresh produceCommission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2429EU marketing standards for fresh fruit and vegetables, applying from 1 January 2025 and replacing the marketing standard provisions of Regulation (EU) No 543/2011..Fresh produceOECD Fruit and Vegetables SchemeOECD explanatory brochures and inspection guidance that interpret UNECE and EU standards with photographs, used by inspectors to apply defect tolerances consistently..EU food lawRegulation (EC) No 396/2005Maximum residue levels (MRLs) of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin.Certification schemesGLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm AssuranceFarm-level certification for good agricultural practice, frequently required by European retailers for fresh produce..Plant healthRegulation (EU) 2016/2031The EU Plant Health Regulation.

Regulations are amended regularly. Always check the version in force for your destination market.

14Conformity TR services for apples

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

Fresh 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

Pre-Shipment Inspection

Final random inspection of food, produce and feed before it leaves the supplier, when the goods are packed and ready to load

Loading Supervision

Supervision of truck, reefer container, bulk vessel and flexitank loading, so the goods that were inspected are the goods that are shipped

Laboratory 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

Supplier Audits

Supplier qualification, food safety audits, quality management system audits, GMP audits and GAP assessments for buyers sourcing from Turkey

15Questions buyers ask

When is the season for apples in Turkey?

Harvest from August to October; controlled atmosphere stored fruit is shipped until late spring. Typical window: August to May. Exact timing varies with region, altitude and weather each year.

Where are apples produced in Turkey?

Isparta is the largest apple province, followed by Niğde, Karaman, Denizli, Antalya (Elmalı) and Konya.

Which laboratory tests are typical for apples?

Common tests include pesticide residues including post-harvest treatments; firmness and Brix; multi-residue pesticide screening (LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS); soluble solids (Brix) and titratable acidity. The right test plan depends on your specification and destination market.

What are the main quality and safety risks for Turkish apples?

Storage disorders appearing after removal from controlled atmosphere. Post-harvest fungicide residues. Bruising.

Can Conformity TR inspect apples and supervise loading?

Yes. We inspect apples at the supplier against your specification, coordinate laboratory testing where required and supervise loading, with a photographic report to you the same day.

Contact

Request inspection for apples in Turkey

Send the product, supplier location and timing by email, phone or WhatsApp. We confirm scope, sampling method, laboratory plan and cost before any work starts.

Food-qualified inspector at the supplier
Report with photographs the same day
Independent of the supplier

Inspection request: Apples

Email[email protected] Phone+90 533 283 05 79 WhatsAppMessage us

OfficeBeştepe Mah. Nergiz Sok. Via Flat İş Merkezi 7/2 Kat:3 No: 87, 06560 Yenimahalle/Ankara

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.

Email your request Call +90 533 283 05 79