As the global blueberry market grows from $6 billion to $13 billion, Turkey has emerged as a supplier with annual production surpassing 6,000 tonnes.
Blueberry is one of the fastest-growing fruits in global consumer demand; industry sources put the global blueberry market's growth at rising from $6 billion to $13 billion in a short span. Turkey is a newer entrant to that growth story, but one expanding quickly.
Where it grows in Turkey
Blueberry cultivation in Turkey is concentrated in two distinct regions. The Eastern Black Sea — particularly Rize, Trabzon, Artvin, and Giresun — is the primary production center, where high rainfall and naturally acidic soil suit the crop's needs well.
The Marmara region has newer, more scattered plantings in Bursa, Balıkesir, and Istanbul; Bursa alone accounts for roughly 3,277 decares of growing area. Turning land considered marginal for other crops into blueberry orchards has become a relatively new but fast-growing income source for growers in the region.
A young, fast-growing line in exports
Turkey's blueberry-specific export figures don't yet cover a long history, but the growth rate is striking: exports worth $490,000 in 2020 climbed 177% to $1,362,000 in 2021.
| Year | Export Value | Export Volume | Price per kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $490,000 | 77 tonnes | $6.38 |
| 2021 | $1,362,000 | 193 tonnes | $7.06 |
Over the same period, export volume rose from 77 to 193 tonnes, while the per-kilogram price also climbed, from $6.38 to $7.06 — meaning the growth isn't just about selling more, it's also about selling at a higher price. Turkey already produces more than 6,000 tonnes of blueberry a year, exporting a portion of that to more than 20 countries; leading buyers include European markets such as France and Germany, along with Russia and countries in the Middle East.
Blueberry is also a major component of Turkey's broader tropical fruit export category (blueberry, kiwi, dragon fruit, avocado, and mango combined); that combined category's exports reached $18,445,000 in 2022 and $24,613,000 in 2023. According to Western Mediterranean Exporters' Association (BAİB) data, roughly 75% of Turkey's tropical fruit production takes place in the Western Mediterranean region, and blueberry leads that region's tropical fruit exports.
A young category that's maturing fast
Blueberry cultivation in Turkey is largely a product of the last 10-15 years, which sets it apart from the century-old production traditions behind crops like cherry or fig. Bluecrop, Duke, and Legacy — mid-to-late-season varieties — are among the most widely planted in Turkish orchards.
Blueberry differs from most other fruit in requiring acidic soil with a pH held between 4.5 and 5.5. The Eastern Black Sea's naturally acidic, high-rainfall soil largely meets that need on its own, which explains why the region became the primary production center. Meanwhile, the pace of growth and the diversity of buyers show the category has already moved past the trial stage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much blueberry does Turkey produce each year?
Turkey already produces more than 6,000 tonnes of blueberry a year, exporting a portion of that to more than 20 countries.
Where does blueberry mainly grow in Turkey?
The primary production center is the Eastern Black Sea (Rize, Trabzon, Artvin, Giresun); the Marmara region also has newer plantings in Bursa, Balıkesir, and Istanbul — Bursa alone accounts for roughly 3,277 decares of growing area.
How has Turkey's blueberry export value grown in recent years?
Blueberry-specific exports rose from $490,000 in 2020 to $1,362,000 in 2021, a 177% increase; over the same period, export volume rose from 77 to 193 tonnes and the price per kilogram rose from $6.38 to $7.06. Leading buyers include European markets such as France and Germany, along with Russia and the Middle East.
Where does blueberry fit in Turkey's tropical fruit export category?
Blueberry is a major component of the broader tropical fruit category, which also includes kiwi, dragon fruit, avocado, and mango; that combined category's exports reached $18,445,000 in 2022 and $24,613,000 in 2023, and according to Western Mediterranean Exporters' Association (BAİB) data, blueberry leads that category's exports.