Walnut Inspection in Turkey
Turkey is one of the larger walnut producers, with extensive new orchards of grafted varieties. The country is both a producer and an importer, so origin and grading need verification.
- Season
- September to November
- Main regions
- Mediterranean, Marmara, Central Anatolia
- Category
- Nuts
- Key tests
- Aflatoxins; Peroxide value
01Product overview
- Traditional seedling trees and modern varieties such as Chandler
- Traded in shell and as kernels by colour grade (light, light amber)
- Kernels oxidise quickly once shelled
02Turkish production regions
Kahramanmaraş, Bursa, Hatay, Antalya, Kırşehir and Eastern Anatolia.
03Harvest and production season
Harvest September to October.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September, in season
- October, in season
- November, in season
- December
Typical window: September to November. Timing shifts with altitude, variety and weather. See the full Turkish harvest calendar.
04Export characteristics
Export volumes are moderate; walnuts are widely consumed domestically.
05Typical quality parameters
| Parameter | What is checked |
|---|---|
| Size | In-shell diameter or kernel form (halves, pieces) |
| Colour | Kernel colour grade |
| Moisture | Within contract |
| Defects | Shrivelled, mouldy, rancid, insect damaged |
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
- Kernel colour against reference chart
- Rancid odour
- Mould and insects
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
- Peroxide value
- Moisture
- Salmonella
- 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
- Rancidity
- Mould
- Origin documentation
10Packaging and labelling
Bags and vacuum cartons.
11Storage and transportation
Cold storage for kernels.
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 walnuts
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 walnuts in Turkey?
Harvest September to October. Typical window: September to November. Exact timing varies with region, altitude and weather each year.
Where are walnuts produced in Turkey?
Kahramanmaraş, Bursa, Hatay, Antalya, Kırşehir and Eastern Anatolia.
Which laboratory tests are typical for walnuts?
Common tests include aflatoxins; peroxide value; moisture; salmonella. The right test plan depends on your specification and destination market.
What are the main quality and safety risks for Turkish walnuts?
Rancidity. Mould. Origin documentation.
Can Conformity TR inspect walnuts and supervise loading?
Yes. We inspect walnuts 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 walnuts 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: Walnuts
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
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Almonds
Turkey produces almonds in the Aegean, Mediterranean and Southeast regions, with planting expanding in recent years.
Pistachios
Turkish pistachios, known as Antep pistachios, are smaller and more intensely flavoured than many other origins.