Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association Chairman Saffet Kalyoncu Reveals Strong Performance in Global Tea Trade
During the January-May period, Turkiye’s tea exports soared, exceeding $12,011,763. Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association Chairman Saffet Kalyoncu informed AA correspondent that a total of 2,468 tons of tea were exported to 110 countries, autonomous, and free zones within the span of 5 months.
Kalyoncu highlighted that this export generated a revenue of $12,011,763, with Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the United States emerging as the top three tea-importing countries. He stated, “During this period, $4,767,435 worth of tea was sold to Belgium, $1,562,004 to the United Kingdom, and $876,265 to the United States.”
Furthermore, Kalyoncu noted the increasing number of countries receiving Turkish tea exports, emphasizing that 51% of Turkiye’s tea exports originated from Rize.
Highlighting the revenue generated from tea sales during the first 5 months of the year, Kalyoncu mentioned that 1,608 tons of tea were sold to 21 countries from the city, yielding $6,167,725. He added that Belgium remained the top recipient with $4,708,987 worth of tea exported, followed by the United States with $484,179 and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with $209,830.
In addressing future prospects, Kalyoncu expressed optimism for further growth in tea production and exports. He stressed the importance of sustainability in tea farming, urging the development of measures against global warming and the initiation of projects focusing on drought-resistant tea varieties.
Emphasizing the significance of branding Turkish tea internationally, Kalyoncu concluded that innovative products tailored to consumer preferences in each country should be developed without compromising on quality.
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz