Türkiye halts lemon exports amid supply and market concerns
File photo shows freshly harvested lemons with leaves still attached, piled together in a crate, accessed on April 8, 2025. (Adobe Stock Photo)
Türkiye has temporarily suspended lemon exports over concerns about domestic availability and rising prices following a joint assessment by the Trade Ministry and the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry.
However, following a recent meeting with producers on Tuesday, Trade Minister Omer Bolat announced that the temporary restriction had been postponed until May 15. He added that price developments in the domestic market would continue to be closely monitored and that inspections would remain in place.
The decision, announced Monday, aims to safeguard food supply security amid concerns over domestic availability and price volatility. Authorities cited recent frost damage in southern provinces, including Adana, Mersin, and Hatay, as a key factor behind the move.
The Trade Ministry stated that market conditions would be closely monitored, and further measures may be introduced if necessary.
Officials stressed that the government remains committed to using trade policy tools to protect domestic production, prevent speculative price increases, and ensure stable access to food.
Producers and exporters express concern over export ban
The temporary ban on lemon exports has sparked concern among Turkish producers and exporters.
According to several reports in Turkish media, producers say only a limited quantity of lemons remains on the trees, as most of the harvest has already been stored for year-round consumption. They emphasize that current lemon stocks exceed domestic demand. Exporters, meanwhile, argue that such bans harm Türkiye’s reputation in the global market, prompting international buyers to turn to alternative suppliers.
Türkiye has consistently produced about 2.5 times its domestic lemon demand over the past decade. In 2023, a surplus in production coupled with weak domestic and international demand left many lemons unharvested. In response, several municipalities organized bulk purchases to support farmers.
Subsequent weather conditions—including drought and unseasonal cold during the flowering period—led to an estimated 30% loss in production. While this supply shock did drive prices up slightly, the surplus kept price hikes relatively contained.
However, more recently, lemon prices have seen sharp and speculative increases, rising from ₺35 ($0.92)–₺40 per kilogram to over ₺60.
