Turkey's 5th-place rank in world onion production, the weight of Ankara and Amasya, and the storage difference between pungent and mild varieties.
According to FAO data, Turkey harvested roughly 2.6 million tons of dry onion in 2023, ranking 5th in world production (about 2.3% of global output), behind India, China, Egypt, and the United States; TÜİK's 2024 domestic estimate is roughly 2.63 million tons, a 1.2% increase. According to a 2025 report by TEPGE (Turkey's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry research institute), dry onion exports reached roughly 130,288 tons in the 2024/25 marketing year (September-August).
| Market | 2024/25 Export Share |
|---|---|
| Russia | 16.5% |
| UAE | 15.2% |
| Romania | 9.9% |
| Georgia | 9.7% |
| Iraq | 7.9% |
Ankara and Amasya's weight
According to the same TEPGE report, Ankara led national production in 2024 by a wide margin, with 826,270 tons (a 31.4% share); Amasya ranked second and Çorum third, Ankara and Amasya together accounting for roughly 47% of national production. The warm climate of the Adana and Hatay plains enables early, "turfanda" harvests, complementing Central Anatolia's main-volume production; for the shared supply line with potato, see our potato export guide.
Quality classification
In line with the UNECE marketing standard for onions (FFV-25), onions ship in two quality classes — Class I and Class II, with no Extra class, the same two-class structure as for potato — calibrated by diameter. The full caliber table is on our onion product page.
A storage difference between pungent and mild varieties
After harvest, onions are cured either in the field (requiring at least 24°C) or with forced air (12 hours at 30-45°C); curing hardens the skin and dries the outer layers, enabling long-term storage. Not all varieties keep equally well: pungent varieties store 6-9 months at 0°C, while mild, sweeter varieties last only 2-4 weeks. The most common storage risk is Botrytis neck rot — gray mold and watery decay at the neck — prevented by proper curing, low humidity, and good airflow.
For current harvest and supply status, see our Seasonal Calendar; for variety and packaging detail, our onion product page; and for the export process, our Export page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Turkey rank in world dry onion production?
According to FAO data, Turkey ranked 5th in world dry onion production in 2023, with roughly 2.6 million tons, behind India, China, Egypt, and the United States.
What are Turkey's main dry onion export markets?
According to TEPGE's 2025 report, Russia (16.5%), the UAE (15.2%), and Romania (9.9%) are the leading export markets in the 2024/25 marketing year; Georgia and Iraq are other significant markets.
Do all dry onion varieties store for the same length of time?
No. Pungent varieties can be stored for 6-9 months at 0°C, while mild, sweeter varieties last only 2-4 weeks — an important distinction for supply planning.
