Gurle, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aegean Furniture Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association, stated that they aim to increase exports of products such as thyme, sage, laurel, rosemary and licorice by promoting Turkish herbal teas in target markets.
According to the statement made by the Aegean Exporters’ Association, spice exports of Turkiye, which is the world leader in the production and export of thyme and laurel, continue to increase.
While the Turkish spice industry exported $186 million in 2023, an increase of 10% compared to the previous year, the Aegean Region covered 64% of this export.
Aiming to grow in target markets in spice products, spice exporters launched a project with the support of the Ministry of Commerce’s Turquality program to promote Turkish herbal teas.
Ali Fuat Gürle, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aegean Furniture Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association, whose evaluations were included in the statement, stated that they have been carrying out the Turquality project for 6 years to increase the awareness and export of Turkish food products in the US market, and that one of the most important pillars of this is spice products.
Stating that the sector has started working on its second branding and promotion project, Gurle said:
“Our Turquality project called “Turkish Herbal Tea”, which is planned to be carried out in partnership with our Association and the Mediterranean Furniture Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association, has been approved by the Ministry of Commerce. With the project, we aim to carry out promotional activities in a 4-year period between 2023 and 2026, and to achieve growth in exports by promoting products such as thyme, sage, laurel, rosemary and licorice root with supported items. We plan to promote health-themed Turkish medicinal and aromatic plants, especially herbal tea, in target markets, primarily the USA and Germany.”
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz