Turkish Dried Figs Manufacturers 2026 | Aydin Sarilop Lerida Protoben Layer
Quick answer
Aydin province and the Buyuk-Kucuk Menderes valleys produce 55 percent of the world's dried figs with Sarilop (Calimyrna) the dominant commercial cultivar grown across Nazilli, Germencik, Kosk, Incirliova, Sultanhisar and Kuyucak. FromTurk connects verified Aydin-Izmir fig processors offering Protoben Layer Number 1 flat pressed premium, Lerida No 2-4 export grades, Pulled natural string-conditioned, Garland threaded gift format, organic USDA NOP and EU 2018/848, industrial diced 6-8 mm bakery cuts, fig paste and puree 68 Brix, plus caprified kernels and fig powder. Every shipment clears BRCGS AA v9, IFS Higher Level v8, FSSC 22000 v6, FDA FSMA PCQI and EU 2023/915 aflatoxin compliance with BCS and ECOCERT-audited organic blocks and FOB loading at Izmir Alsancak, Mersin or Istanbul Ambarli.
55%+
Global Share
75K T
Annual Exports
8+
Fig Varieties
No 1-4
Export Grades
6 mcg/kg
Aflatoxin B1 Limit
Aydin-Izmir Dried Fig Industry Overview
Aydin province and the adjacent Izmir fig belt produce 75000 tons of dried figs annually across 55000 hectares of orchards, representing 55 percent of global dried fig exports and 78 percent of the Calimyrna (Sarilop) cultivar worldwide. The Buyuk Menderes and Kucuk Menderes river valleys at 30-400 meter altitude offer ideal continental-mediterranean microclimate with 650 mm annual rainfall, alluvial loam soils and 2800 sunshine hours. Caprification via Blastophaga psenes wasp pollination of the Erbeyli male caprifig remains the traditional method ensuring proper seed development and the characteristic nutty flavor profile demanded by European and North American bakery and confectionery buyers.
Processing clusters in Nazilli, Germencik, Kosk, Incirliova, Sultanhisar and Kuyucak operate under Aydin Ticaret Borsasi auctions and Incir Tarim Satis Kooperatifleri Birligi (TARIS) export pools. Harvest runs August through October with field-drying on mats or elevated platforms for 4-6 days, reducing fruit moisture from 75 to 22 percent. BRCGS-certified packhouses deploy size-graders, optical colour sorters, metal detectors, X-ray scanners, controlled atmosphere fumigation and moisture-humidity conditioning tunnels. Protoben Layer grade packs flat-pressed figs in rows for premium gift retail at 8x12 cm tray format, while Lerida sizes 1-4 handle 30-60 fruits per kilogram retail segment, Pulled figs are hand-stretched string-conditioned 20-30% moisture for artisan snacking, and Garland is threaded on cotton cord for Mediterranean gift packaging.
Turkish dried fig exporters serve 95+ destinations led by Germany, United States, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Japan, China, Russia and Saudi Arabia. FOB Izmir Alsancak pricing benchmarks through Aydin Commodity Exchange weekly bulletins with Protoben Layer Number 1 premium at 4800-6200 USD per ton, Lerida No 2 standard retail 3800-4600 USD per ton, Pulled natural 3400-4200 USD per ton and industrial diced 2600-3200 USD per ton. EU 2023/915 sets aflatoxin B1 maximum at 6 microgram per kilogram and total aflatoxin at 10 microgram per kilogram specifically for dried figs with mandatory HPLC-fluorescence testing on every export lot via SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or Eurofins laboratories.
55% Global Share
Key operational pillar: 55% Global Share. Documented strength backed by buyer-grade evidence and direct exporter accountability.
Aydin-Izmir supplies over half the world's dried figs from 55k hectares of Sarilop Calimyrna orchards
Key operational pillar: Aydin-Izmir supplies over half the world's dried figs from 55k hectares of Sarilop Calimyrna orchards. Documented strength backed by buyer-grade evidence and direct exporter accountability.
Sarilop Calimyrna
Key operational pillar: Sarilop Calimyrna. Documented strength backed by buyer-grade evidence and direct exporter accountability.
Dominant commercial cultivar with caprification pollination yielding signature nutty flavor and white interior
Key operational pillar: Dominant commercial cultivar with caprification pollination yielding signature nutty flavor and white interior. Documented strength backed by buyer-grade evidence and direct exporter accountability.
Protoben Layer No 1
Key operational pillar: Protoben Layer No 1. Documented strength backed by buyer-grade evidence and direct exporter accountability.
Flat-pressed premium gift-retail grade at 8x12 cm tray with 45-55 fruits per kg and PDO Aydin origin
Key operational pillar: Flat-pressed premium gift-retail grade at 8x12 cm tray with 45-55 fruits per kg and PDO Aydin origin. Documented strength backed by buyer-grade evidence and direct exporter accountability.
Pulled & Garland
Key operational pillar: Pulled & Garland. Documented strength backed by buyer-grade evidence and direct exporter accountability.
Hand-stretched string-conditioned artisan format and threaded cotton-cord garland for Mediterranean gifting
Key operational pillar: Hand-stretched string-conditioned artisan format and threaded cotton-cord garland for Mediterranean gifting. Documented strength backed by buyer-grade evidence and direct exporter accountability.
Organic USDA NOP
Key operational pillar: Organic USDA NOP. Documented strength backed by buyer-grade evidence and direct exporter accountability.
USDA National Organic Program and EU 2018/848 ECOCERT and BCS-audited organic blocks in Germencik and Kosk
Key operational pillar: USDA National Organic Program and EU 2018/848 ECOCERT and BCS-audited organic blocks in Germencik and Kosk. Documented strength backed by buyer-grade evidence and direct exporter accountability.
EU Aflatoxin 6 mcg/kg
Key operational pillar: EU Aflatoxin 6 mcg/kg. Documented strength backed by buyer-grade evidence and direct exporter accountability.
100% HPLC-fluorescence pre-shipment testing to EU 2023/915 B1 <=6 mcg/kg figs-specific limit
Key operational pillar: 100% HPLC-fluorescence pre-shipment testing to EU 2023/915 B1 <=6 mcg/kg figs-specific limit. Documented strength backed by buyer-grade evidence and direct exporter accountability.
Dried Fig Varieties & Export Grades
Eight flagship Sarilop Calimyrna classes from Protoben Layer No 1 flat-pressed gift-retail through Lerida No 2-4 standard, Pulled hand-stretched artisan, Garland cotton-cord threaded, organic USDA NOP, industrial diced 6-8 mm, aseptic paste 68 Brix and spray-dried fig powder 50-100 mesh, each with full spec sheet and FOB Izmir pricing.
Lerida No 2-4 Standard Retail
Pulled Natural String-Conditioned
Garland Threaded Cotton-Cord
Organic USDA NOP & EU 2018/848
Industrial Diced Fig 6-8 mm Bakery Cut
Fig Paste & Puree 68 Brix Concentrate
Fig Powder Spray-Dried & Fig Flour
Dried Fig Certifications & Food Safety Standards
Every Aydin-Izmir fig processor in FromTurk's verified network maintains a nine-layer compliance stack covering GFSI food safety, US FDA FSMA, EU 2023/915 aflatoxin 6 mcg/kg figs-specific limit, organic NOP and EU 2018/848, Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade FLO, halal and kosher for global retail placement.
BFSI
BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 AA Grade
Global Standard for Food Safety v9 with unannounced AA-grade audits mandatory for Tier-1 EU, UK, US retail buyers covering HACCP, allergen, foreign body control and food defense for dried fig processing and packing facilities.
IFVH
IFS Food v8 Higher Level
International Featured Standards v8 Higher Level recognized by Carrefour, Metro, REWE, Edeka, Aldi, Lidl for fig supplier approval with KO criteria on traceability, pest control and allergen management.
F2VG
FSSC 22000 v6 GFSI Recognised
Food Safety System Certification v6 combining ISO 22000 food safety management, ISO/TS 22002-1 PRP and FSSC additional requirements covering food fraud VACCP and food defense TACCP for fig facilities.
FFPF
FDA FSMA PCQI & FSVP
US Food Safety Modernization Act Preventive Controls for Human Food with PCQI and Foreign Supplier Verification Program compliance plus sanitary transport rule for dried fig shipments to United States.
E29A
EU 2023/915 Aflatoxin Compliance
Maximum aflatoxin B1 6 microgram per kilogram and total aflatoxin 10 microgram per kilogram specifically for dried figs with pre-shipment HPLC-fluorescence testing on every export lot by SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or Eurofins.
UNE2
USDA NOP & EU 2018/848 Organic
USDA National Organic Program and EU 2018/848 organic equivalence via ECOCERT, BCS, Control Union or CERES with dedicated organic production lines, segregated storage and transaction certificates.
RAFF
Rainforest Alliance & Fairtrade FLO
Rainforest Alliance 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard and Fairtrade FLO producer certification for Aydin smallholder cooperatives with living-income premiums and EUDR 2023/1115 deforestation-free DDS documentation.
HHGA
Halal HAK & GCC Accredited
Halal Accreditation Body HAK Turkey, GIMDES and GCC Accreditation Center recognition valid across Saudi SFDA, UAE ESMA, Malaysia JAKIM, Indonesia BPJPH for dried fig retail and industrial channels.
KOOS
Kosher OU, OK & Star-K
Orthodox Union, OK Kosher and Star-K certification with pareve status, year-round and Passover-approved lots, Sabbath production monitoring via Mashgiach Temidi for kosher-compliant fig exports.
Dried Fig Pricing Guide 2026
Indicative FOB Izmir Alsancak pricing per tonne with current-year harvest ranges. Final pricing locked at production order confirmation after sample approval.
Protoben Layer No 1
USD 4800-6200/T
gift-retail flat-pressed premium
Lerida No 2 Retail
USD 3800-4600/T
55-65 fruits/kg standard
Lerida No 4 Value
USD 3000-3600/T
80-100 fruits/kg mid-range
Pulled Natural
USD 3400-4200/T
hand-stretched artisan
Industrial Diced
USD 2600-3200/T
6-8 mm bakery cut
Organic NOP Premium
USD 5500-7500/T
USDA NOP + EU 2018/848
Payment Milestones & Incoterms
Incoterms 2020 FOB Izmir Alsancak, FOB Mersin or FOB Istanbul Ambarli, or CIF destination port. Payment L/C at sight 100% against shipping documents or 30% T/T advance and 70% T/T against scanned BL. Turk Eximbank buyer-credit program available for orders above 500k USD with 180-360 day tenor via Akbank or Garanti BBVA advising.
Quality Basis & Claim Window
Quality basis CIQ destination inspection within 30 days of arrival or pre-shipment inspection certificate from SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or Eurofins at origin. Claim window 15 business days weight and 30 days quality per GAFTA 125 terms. Aflatoxin retest via accredited EU reference lab acceptable for arbitration dispute resolution.
Dried Fig Packaging & Container Options
Flexible retail and bulk formats optimized for EU, UK, US, Japan and GCC gourmet retail chains plus industrial bakery and confectionery buyers.
Retail Packaging
- 100g / 150g / 200g / 250g matte or gloss stand-up pouch with resealable zipper (Lerida No 2-4 retail)
- Protoben Layer 200g / 400g / 500g wooden or rigid kraft tray with window-film overwrap (gift-retail)
- Garland 250g / 400g / 500g cotton-cord threaded with kraft-paper wrap and twine closure
- Pulled 150g / 250g premium gift pouch with nitrogen flush for chewy artisan texture
Bulk / Industrial Packaging
- 10 kg / 12.5 kg double-wall corrugated carton with food-grade PE liner (Lerida industrial and food-service)
- 25 kg multi-wall kraft paper bag with PE inner liner for diced and paste production feedstock
- 220 kg aseptic steel drum with bag-in-box for fig paste 68 Brix concentrate
- 1000 kg IBC tote for aseptic paste and single-strength puree to ice cream, yogurt, bakery plants
- 20-foot DC 16-18 tons retail packed (tray format), 40-foot HC 20-22 tons bulk cartons
Aydin-Izmir Dried Fig Regional Producers
Six strategic Aydin and Izmir micro-regions hosting FromTurk-verified fig processing clusters with full certification stack, caprification-verified traceability and Izmir Alsancak port FCL weekly sailings to global markets.
Nazilli Central Processing Hub
Largest Aydin fig processing district with 15 BRCGS-certified packhouses, TARIS Incir Birlik headquarters, daily commodity auctions at Aydin Ticaret Borsasi and 30000 tons annual export throughput.
Germencik Organic Zone
Prime Sarilop Calimyrna orchards at 60-120 meter altitude with 18000 hectare plantation focused on USDA NOP and EU 2018/848 organic production, ECOCERT-audited estates and dedicated organic warehouses.
Kosk Pollination Belt
Traditional caprification stronghold with highest density of Erbeyli male caprifigs and Blastophaga wasp colonies ensuring premium seed development for export-grade Protoben Layer and Lerida No 1-2 fig lots.
Incirliova Gift-Pack Cluster
Specialized Protoben Layer tray-pack packhouses with wooden tray assembly, window-film overwrap, Christmas/Ramadan gift programming and direct private-label retail contracts with EU supermarket chains.
Sultanhisar-Kuyucak Rural Belt
Smallholder cooperative zone with 850 family farms supplying Lerida grade retail and Pulled-format artisan figs, Fairtrade FLO and Rainforest Alliance certified, community-level traceability blockchain implementation.
Izmir Alsancak Port Gateway
Primary fig export port with direct weekly Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd sailings to Rotterdam, Hamburg, Felixstowe, New York, Shanghai and Dubai, plus bonded warehouse and customs clearance hub.
Dried Fig Buyer's Guide 2026
Six-step Aydin-Izmir Sarilop Calimyrna dried fig procurement journey from initial RFQ through final FOB container loading and ocean freight documentation.
- 1
Submit RFQ with Grade & Volume
Send Request for Quotation specifying grade (Protoben Layer No 1 / Lerida No 2-4 / Pulled / Garland / Organic / Diced / Paste / Powder), treatment (natural / organic), moisture target, annual tonnage and destination port. FromTurk matches 3-5 verified Aydin-Izmir fig processors within 48 hours.
- 2
Pre-Shipment Sample Approval
Processors courier 250g per grade sealed sample with full Certificate of Analysis covering moisture, aflatoxin B1/total, OTA, pesticide MRL, heavy metals, SO2 (if applicable) and microbiological panel. Buyer conducts sensory evaluation and signs quality spec sheet before contract execution.
- 3
Sales Contract & Incoterms 2020
GAFTA 125 or ICC 2020 sales contract with Incoterms FOB Izmir Alsancak, FOB Mersin or FOB Istanbul Ambarli, or CIF destination port, payment L/C at sight or 60-90 day CAD, weight basis final at loading, quality basis pre-shipment inspection certificate or CIQ destination.
- 4
Production & Quality Control
Processor books production slot (5-10 days standard grades, 14-21 days organic or private-label), runs HACCP checkpoints, deploys optical color sorters, metal detectors and X-ray scanners, applies controlled-atmosphere fumigation. Buyer may nominate SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or Eurofins for audit.
- 5
Pre-Shipment Inspection & Loading
Third-party inspector samples 10% of cartons per ISO 2859 plan, HPLC-fluorescence tests aflatoxin B1 and total, verifies moisture by AOAC method, inspects carton markings, container cleanliness and temperature. Clean Certificate of Inspection triggers FOB container stuffing, seal and BL issuance.
- 6
Ocean Freight & Documentation
FOB Izmir to Rotterdam/Hamburg 11 days, to New York 19 days, to Shanghai 30 days via Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM or Hapag-Lloyd weekly. Documents: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, BL, COA, EUR.1 or Form A, EUDR DDS reference, phytosanitary certificate, halal or kosher certificate as applicable.
Turkish Dried Fig FAQ
Fifteen deep-dive questions on Aydin Sarilop fig grading, Protoben Layer versus Lerida, caprification, aflatoxin compliance, organic NOP, Pulled and Garland formats, private-label gift-pack packaging, FOB Izmir pricing, Incoterms, payment terms and FromTurk supplier verification.
What is Turkey's global share in dried figs?
Turkey produces 55 percent of the world's dried figs and 78 percent of the Calimyrna (Sarilop) commercial variety, with Aydin province and Izmir's adjacent valleys supplying 75000 tons annually from 55000 hectares of caprified orchards across Nazilli, Germencik, Kosk, Incirliova, Sultanhisar and Kuyucak.
What is the difference between Protoben Layer and Lerida grades?
Protoben Layer is the premium gift-retail format with hand-selected Sarilop figs flat-pressed in uniform rows on 8x12 or 10x15 cm trays, typically 45-55 fruits per kilogram. Lerida refers to size-graded export classes No 1 through No 8 for retail pouches and industrial supply, with No 2 at 55-65/kg and No 4 at 80-100/kg being the most popular retail sizes.
What is caprification and why is it important?
Caprification is the natural pollination of Sarilop (female) fig orchards by the Blastophaga psenes wasp carrying pollen from Erbeyli male caprifigs. This traditional biological process ensures proper seed development, the characteristic nutty flavor, firm texture and creamy-white interior that define premium Turkish Calimyrna dried figs versus unpollinated varieties.
What are the EU aflatoxin limits for dried figs?
EU Regulation 2023/915 sets aflatoxin B1 maximum at 6 microgram per kilogram (stricter than the 8 mcg/kg for apricots) and total aflatoxin (B1+B2+G1+G2) at 10 microgram per kilogram specifically for dried figs for direct human consumption. Ochratoxin A limit is 8 mcg/kg. Every lot undergoes HPLC-fluorescence pre-shipment testing.
Are organic and Fairtrade dried figs available?
Yes. USDA NOP and EU 2018/848 certified organic Sarilop figs are produced in Germencik and Kosk organic zones with ECOCERT or BCS auditing and dedicated organic production lines. Fairtrade FLO and Rainforest Alliance 2020 SAS overlays available from Sultanhisar and Kuyucak smallholder cooperatives with EUDR 2023/1115 deforestation-free DDS documentation.
What is the minimum order quantity?
FCL minimum is one 20-foot DC (approximately 16-18 tons retail packed figs due to tray format density) or one 40-foot HC (20-22 tons). LCL consolidation starts from 1 pallet (700 kg) via FromTurk's Izmir consolidation warehouse with weekly sailings to Rotterdam, Hamburg, Felixstowe, New York and Dubai.
How is Protoben Layer gift-pack packaging handled?
Minimum order 2000 units for Protoben Layer wooden or rigid kraft trays. Lead time 18-22 days including artwork, window-film overwrap, barcode/GTIN, multi-language nutrition panel. FromTurk partner packers offer full GDA panel generation and Ramadan/Christmas/Easter seasonal artwork with 30-day lead time.
Are Pulled and Garland formats available year-round?
Pulled (hand-stretched string-conditioned) and Garland (cotton-cord threaded) formats are produced September through April from the current harvest. For year-round supply, controlled-atmosphere cold storage at 2-4 C extends availability through the following August bridging to next harvest. MOQ 500 units for private-label garlands.
What is the typical FOB price range in 2026?
Indicative FOB Izmir Alsancak pricing: Protoben Layer No 1 premium 4800-6200 USD per ton, Lerida No 2 standard retail 3800-4600 USD per ton, Lerida No 4 value retail 3000-3600 USD per ton, Pulled natural 3400-4200 USD per ton, Industrial diced 2600-3200 USD per ton, Organic NOP premium 5500-7500 USD per ton, Fig paste 68 Brix 2800-3400 USD per ton. Final pricing locked at production.
How is caprified fig traceability maintained?
FromTurk partner processors maintain orchard-to-FOB traceability with each lot tagged to specific farm parcel, harvest date, caprification verification, drying mat, processing line and container seal. Digital blockchain ledger stores GPS coordinates for EUDR 2023/1115 compliance with independent deforestation-free verification post 31 December 2020 cut-off date.
Can you supply fig paste and powder for industrial use?
Yes. Aseptic Sarilop fig paste at 68 Brix concentrate (or 30 Brix single strength) in 220 kg drums with bag-in-box or 1000 kg IBC totes for fig cookies, energy bars, fig jams, gourmet sauces. Spray-dried fig powder and mill-ground fig flour at 50-100 mesh in nitrogen-flushed 5/10/25 kg kraft bags for clean-label sweetener replacement in protein bars, baby food and bakery applications.
What shipping routes and transit times are available?
FOB Izmir Alsancak primary: Rotterdam/Hamburg 11 days, Felixstowe 9 days, New York/New Jersey 19 days, Shanghai 30 days, Dubai Jebel Ali 8 days, Jeddah 5 days, Mumbai 14 days, Yokohama 35 days. Mersin secondary port for Eastern Mediterranean and GCC, Istanbul Ambarli tertiary for Northern Europe. Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Arkas weekly sailings.
Is EUDR 2023/1115 deforestation-free compliance available?
Yes. All FromTurk partner fig processors maintain Due Diligence Statement (DDS) in EU TRACES-NT with geolocation polygons for every supplying orchard, commodity-level traceability back to farm parcel and independent verification of deforestation-free status after 31 December 2020 cut-off date. DDS reference number provided on every shipping document.
What are payment terms and financing options?
Standard terms: Letter of Credit at sight from Tier-1 bank (confirmed by Akbank, Garanti BBVA, Isbank or Turk Eximbank), 30-60-90 day CAD (Cash Against Documents), Documents against Acceptance D/A, or Turkish Eximbank buyer-credit program for orders above 500000 USD with 180-360 day tenor. First-order buyers typically use confirmed L/C with 15% advance payment.
How do I verify fig supplier legitimacy?
Every FromTurk-listed Aydin-Izmir fig processor is audited annually for company registration with Aydin Ticaret Odasi, BRCGS AA or IFS Higher Level certificate validity, export license from Aegean Exporters Association, factory GPS geolocation and 12-month export history. Buyers receive verified supplier badge, sample shipment tracking and pre-shipment inspection support for first engagement.
Related Turkish Food & Export Categories
Aydin dried fig buyers also source the full Turkish dried fruits hub portfolio including sister products Malatya dried apricots, Manisa Sultana raisins, golden sultanas, Erzincan mulberries, Afyon sour cherries and Bursa prunes. Bakery-confectionery buyers combine diced and paste figs with Turkish baklava and lokum ingredients and durum wheat bulgur for muesli and trail-mix programs.
Ingredient buyers procuring fig paste 68 Brix and spray-dried fig powder also source Turkish dairy yogurt and kefir inclusions, early-harvest olive oil gift-pack pairings, Gaziantep pul biber and Urfa isot private-label blends, and Turkish packaging machinery for in-house filling lines. Export containers move through the Turkish food export hub via Izmir Alsancak, Mersin and Istanbul Ambarli FOB ports.
Cross-sector procurement teams coordinate fig cartons with Turkish apparel for retail buyer-visit programs, hotel FF&E packages for expat procurement-team accommodation, dental tourism hospitality gift baskets, food processing machinery for destination re-packing plants, and defense-grade textile logistics know-how adapted for pharmaceutical-spec fig paste handling. Premium gift buyers pair Aydin Protoben Layer figs with Turkish skincare and home textile presentation boxes for hospitality and corporate gifting.