Red Globe, Sultana, Razaki, Antep Karası and Crimson Seedless: Turkey's main table grape varieties, their characteristics and August-October harvest window.
Among Turkey's table grape varieties, the large-berried Red Globe, the seedless Sultana, and the local, aromatic Razaki stand out. Harvest period varies by region but generally runs from August to October.
Turkey's grape production is bigger — and more divided — than table grapes alone
Turkey is consistently among the world's largest grape-producing countries, ranking around 7th globally according to FAO data, with total production in the millions of tons annually. What's less obvious from that ranking is how the crop is split: roughly a third of Turkey's grapes go to raisin production, another third to fresh table consumption, and the remainder to juice and other processing. A variety guide for exporters is therefore really a guide to only one-third of the national crop — the portion bred and handled specifically for the fresh table market.
Alongside the three classic table varieties, two more local and imported varieties hold an important place in the export basket: Antep Karası, native to the Gaziantep area, is dark purple-black with an intense sweet aroma, suited to both table consumption and drying; its harvest runs from the third week of August to mid-October. The California-origin Crimson Seedless, seedless with firm flesh and thick skin, holds its freshness well late in the season.
The clearest differences between varieties come down to end use: naturally seedless, high-sugar varieties like Sultana suit both fresh consumption and drying (raisins), while firm-fleshed, thick-skinned varieties like Red Globe and Crimson Seedless offer an advantage for long-distance export and storage. Local varieties like Razaki and Antep Karası, with their aromatic intensity, are preferred in the domestic market and by export markets seeking an authentic, distinctive product.
You can visit our Grapes product page for detailed variety and season information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Turkey's rank in global grape production?
Turkey ranks around 7th globally in grape production according to FAO data, with total output in the millions of tons annually.
What's the difference between Red Globe and Sultana grapes?
Red Globe is a large-berried, thick-skinned variety suited to long-distance export and storage, while Sultana is a naturally seedless, high-sugar variety suited to both fresh consumption and drying into raisins.