Agriculture and Forestry Minister Yumaklı joined the fig harvest at the Fig Research Institute in İncirliova, Aydın. Together with agricultural workers, Yumaklı collected dried figs that had fallen onto sheets and fresh figs from the trees.
In his remarks, Yumaklı offered condolences to those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured after a ship sank off Girne Port in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Record expected in plant production
Yumaklı said he had come to Aydın to join the fig harvest and that Türkiye had received the best rainfall of the past 66 years this year. The minister said high yields were expected for many products.
Yumaklı said the grain harvest was nearing completion and announced that they expected plant production to exceed 140 million tons this year. He said this would be the highest production record of all time.
Fig production and exports
Yumaklı said Türkiye ranks first in global fig production with a 28% share and is also a major exporter of dried figs.
Yumaklı said they expected the 2026 harvest to reach approximately 388,000 tons of fresh figs and 94,000 tons of dried figs. He said Türkiye meets 60% to 65% of global demand for dried figs, adding that figs are an important product in which Türkiye holds the leading position worldwide.
Yumaklı said 60% of Türkiye's fig production takes place in Aydın and that 84% of the country's organically produced figs also come from Aydın.
354 varieties preserved in gene bank
Yumaklı said the Fig Research Institute conducts research and development activities for fig production in Türkiye, particularly in Aydın, and announced that the genetic resources of 354 fig varieties are preserved in the institute's gene bank.
Warning about aflatoxin and ochratoxin
Yumaklı noted that aflatoxin and ochratoxin can develop in figs depending on harvesting, storage, processing, climate and other conditions. He said these problems could cause products to be returned during exports, adding that the ministry, producers and exporters were working together to reduce the risks.
Emphasizing that figs are an important source of livelihood, Yumaklı said producers, exporters and public institutions needed to act jointly to resolve problems in the sector.
Yumaklı said fig-processing facilities engaging in contract farming would bring discipline to the sector, adding that the ministry provides support and incentives at various stages, from harvesting the product to placing it on the market. He wished all producers a successful and bountiful harvest season.
Yumaklı was accompanied at the event by AK Party Aydın deputies Seda Sarıbaş, Ömer Karakaş, Mustafa Savaş and Ömer Özmen, Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu and Aydın Governor Osman Varol.
