Raisins

Türkiye is the world's largest producer and exporter of seedless raisins. Its sultana-type raisins in particular are the country's most significant dried vine fruit in world trade. Türkiye is among the major grape-growing countries and has a range of areas well suited to viticulture.

Roughly 60 percent of the grapes grown in Türkiye are seeded and 40 percent seedless. Seedless raisin output rises and falls from season to season with climate conditions. The five-year average world seedless raisin crop is around 1,327,000 tonnes; Türkiye's 260,000 to 300,000 tonnes represent close to 20 percent of world output.

Contracts in this trade turn on grade and residue limits. Sultanas are sold by grade and by size, with moisture content agreed alongside. Light golden sultanas are sulphur treated, and destination markets set their own SO₂ limits.

The residue that most often causes problems at the border is ochratoxin A, for which the European Union sets a maximum level for dried vine fruit. Ask for lot-level analysis from an accredited laboratory before shipment, and agree tolerances for stem and cap content in the same contract.