Viticulture economics in Turkey: An assessment of current situation and its implications

Abstract

Viticulture is an agricultural activity which has a general importance in the economy of Turkey. Because viticulture is practiced on land that is not appropriate for production of other agricultural commodities it acquires a different importance. Turkey is among the top five countries in the world in production of grapes and raisins. Although Turkey produces various kinds of grapes and reports a limited export of grapes, it is traditional exporter of raisins. Turkey is the world's largest raisin exporter. Raisin export value of $175,000,000 places Turkey above other producing countries according to the average value of the last five years. Despite this positive situation in the production and export of raisins, the export value of table grapes and wine are $18 million and $5 million, respectively. In this study, the structural trends among farms, in grape production, processing and exports are examined, accounting for various grape varieties. Also, the development of wine sector, its production potential, and export were considered.