Almond Inspection in Turkey
Turkey produces almonds in the Aegean, Mediterranean and Southeast regions, with planting expanding in recent years. Export volumes are modest because domestic demand is strong, and Turkey also imports almonds.
- Season
- August to October
- Main regions
- Mediterranean, Aegean, Southeastern Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia
- Category
- Nuts
- Key tests
- Aflatoxins; Salmonella
01Product overview
- Local varieties and newer plantings of international varieties
- Datça almonds from Muğla are a registered geographical indication
- Traded in shell and as kernels
02Turkish production regions
Mersin, Muğla, Adıyaman, Aydın, Denizli and Elazığ.
03Harvest and production season
Harvest August to October.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August, in season
- September, in season
- October, in season
- November
- December
Typical window: August to October. Timing shifts with altitude, variety and weather. See the full Turkish harvest calendar.
04Export characteristics
Export volumes are limited; buyers should verify origin documentation where Turkish processors also handle imported almonds.
05Typical quality parameters
| Parameter | What is checked |
|---|---|
| Size | Kernels per ounce or calibre |
| Defects | Chipped, broken, doubles, insect damage, mould, gum |
| Moisture | Within contract |
| Bitterness | Bitter kernels for sweet almond lots |
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
- Bitter kernel check on cut samples
- Insect damage
- Gum and staining
07Sampling methods
Mycotoxin sampling follows Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 or the contract method, with incremental samples taken across all bags or cartons in the lot. Quality is assessed on a separate sample examined for size, defects, moisture and foreign matter.
08Laboratory testing
- Aflatoxins
- Salmonella
- Moisture
- Aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins
- Free fatty acids and peroxide value
- Salmonella and E. coli
Testing is coordinated through laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 for the required method. See laboratory coordination.
09Food safety and quality risks
- Aflatoxin
- Salmonella
- Origin documentation
10Packaging and labelling
Bags and cartons.
11Storage and transportation
Cool, dry storage.
12Pre-shipment inspection procedure
- Review specification: calibre, grade, moisture, defects and aflatoxin limits
- Confirm lot identity, bag or carton count and production codes
- Take incremental samples across the lot for the laboratory aggregate
- Examine size distribution, defects, shell fragments and foreign matter
- Measure moisture and check for rancidity odour
- Check packaging, labelling and allergen declarations
- Supervise container condition, loading and sealing
- Issue an inspection report and attach laboratory results
13Relevant international standards
Regulations are amended regularly. Always check the version in force for your destination market.
14Conformity TR services for almonds
Food Inspection
Independent inspection of finished and semi-finished food products at Turkish suppliers, carried out against your specification, your label artwork and the rules of your market
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
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
Loading Supervision
Supervision of truck, reefer container, bulk vessel and flexitank loading, so the goods that were inspected are the goods that are shipped
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
15Questions buyers ask
When is the season for almonds in Turkey?
Harvest August to October. Typical window: August to October. Exact timing varies with region, altitude and weather each year.
Where are almonds produced in Turkey?
Mersin, Muğla, Adıyaman, Aydın, Denizli and Elazığ.
Which laboratory tests are typical for almonds?
Common tests include aflatoxins; salmonella; moisture; aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins. The right test plan depends on your specification and destination market.
What are the main quality and safety risks for Turkish almonds?
Aflatoxin. Salmonella. Origin documentation.
Can Conformity TR inspect almonds and supervise loading?
Yes. We inspect almonds at the supplier against your specification, coordinate laboratory testing where required and supervise loading, with a photographic report to you the same day.
Request inspection for almonds 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: Almonds
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.
Related products
Hazelnuts
Turkey grows roughly two thirds of the world's hazelnuts along its Black Sea coast and supplies most of the global confectionery industry.
Walnuts
Turkey is one of the larger walnut producers, with extensive new orchards of grafted varieties.
Pistachios
Turkish pistachios, known as Antep pistachios, are smaller and more intensely flavoured than many other origins.