Turkey's grapefruit production, the shares of Adana and Mersin, export markets, the origin of red-fleshed varieties, and the UNECE quality criteria.
In grapefruit, according to TÜİK data, Turkey's production reached approximately 284,565 tons in 2023, its highest level in recent years, and fell to approximately 150,000 tons in 2024 owing to a return to normal after the record season and the hot weather during the flowering period (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry); TEPGE attributes the decline to a return to normal after the record season and to the hot weather during the flowering period. In 2024, grapefruit makes up approximately 3% of Turkey's citrus production; the same report also notes that the number of trees at non-bearing age increased by 185% compared with 2020. The first varieties of the season begin their harvest in November — the table for the current month is in our November harvest guide.
The center of production: Adana
According to TEPGE data, in 2023 approximately 83% of Turkey's grapefruit production took place in Adana, 9% in Mersin, and 3% in Hatay; the share of the Mediterranean region was 97%. In 2024, Adana had a share of 76%, Mersin 15%, and Hatay 3%. Muğla, Antalya, Osmaniye, and Aydın contribute to production with smaller shares. For all of our supply regions, see our supply regions page.
Exports: seasonal course and markets
According to USDA FAS reports, Turkey exports approximately 80% of its grapefruit production. According to TÜİK data (TEPGE, October-September season, HS code 080540), exports have followed the course below; because HS code 080540 also covers pomelo, the figures do not refer to grapefruit alone.
| Season | Exports (tons) | Value (million $) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 98,995 | 67.2 |
| 2023/24 | 133,369 | 75.8 |
| 2024/25 | 86,745 | 66.0 |
In the 2024/25 season, Russia, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, and Bulgaria were among the five largest markets, and Japan, Iraq, Serbia, Germany, and Canada were other countries that received shipments. Because the market ranking and tonnages show small differences between TÜİK and USDA data, we do not give country-level volumes here.
With the January 2026 update, grapefruit was removed from the EU's control lists for Turkish-origin products; details are in our pesticide residue and MRL compliance guide.
The legacy of red-fleshed varieties
According to USDA FAS reports, the most exported varieties are Star Ruby, Ruby Red, Marsh Seedless, and Rio Red; three of the four are red-fleshed. The story of these varieties is a short history of citrus breeding: Ruby Red was found in Texas in 1929 as a branch mutation and became the first citrus variety to be granted a patent, in 1934; Star Ruby was obtained by irradiating a grapefruit seed and released in Texas in 1970; and Rio Red is a natural bud mutation found in an irradiated budwood line of Ruby Red origin and was released in Texas in 1984 (Rouse et al., 2001). Varieties such as Henderson and Flame are derived from this line. You can find the differences between varieties in our citrus variety guide, and their month-by-month view in our Seasonal Calendar.
Quality and storage
Grapefruit is graded in the Extra, Class I, and Class II categories in line with the UNECE citrus standard FFV-14. According to the 2010 edition of the standard, the minimum juice content in grapefruit is 35% and the minimum size is 70 mm; the color must be characteristic of the variety, and in red-fleshed varieties the word "pink" or "red" may be used. Storage temperature varies with variety and maturity; the published range on our product page is 10-15°C. For caliber and packaging options, see our caliber and packaging guide, and for transport temperatures, our transport temperature guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
In which provinces is grapefruit grown in Turkey?
The center of production is Adana; according to TEPGE, in 2023 Adana had a share of 83%, Mersin 9%, and Hatay 3%, and in 2024 Adana 76%, Mersin 15%, and Hatay 3%. Muğla, Antalya, Osmaniye, and Aydın contribute with smaller shares.
Which varieties stand out in Turkish grapefruit?
According to USDA FAS, the most exported varieties are Star Ruby, Ruby Red, Marsh Seedless, and Rio Red. Star Ruby, Henderson, and Flame are our red-fleshed varieties that begin their harvest in November.
What is the maturity criterion for grapefruit in the UNECE standard?
According to the published text of the standard, the minimum juice content in grapefruit is 35%; the minimum size is 70 mm, and the color must be characteristic of the variety.
