Manufacturing and Sourcing in Türkiye’s Aromatic Sector
Turkey (Türkiye) holds a unique and powerful position in the global Spices and Herbs market, dominating the supply chain for key culinary and medicinal aromatics like Oregano (Kekik), Mint, and Red Pepper (Pul Biber). The sector’s stability is crucial, as the global market is projected to grow to 243.04 billion dollars by 2029, driven by health trends and the globalization of cuisine.
- Global Leader Status: Turkey is the world’s leading producer and Exporter of Oregano (Thyme), supplying around 75 percent of the global market.
- Export Value Drivers: High-value aromatic herbs are major Exports. In 2021, Thyme accounted for 64 million dollars in total spice Exports from Turkey, followed by bay leaf (44 million dollars). Red Pepper Flakes saw 21.8 percent growth, with Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands being top buyers.
Nearshoring and Quality Control for EU Trade
For European food manufacturers and ingredient Suppliers, Turkey / Türkiye is the preferred Nearshoringpartner due to its geographical advantage and stringent quality focus.
- Quality and Provenance: Turkish herbs, benefiting from ideal microclimates in regions like Muğla (for oregano and thyme) and Şanlıurfa (for red pepper/Isot), are internationally recognized for their high potency and purity. This regional provenance is a key selling point in the global Trade of aromatic botanicals.
- Compliance: To maintain access to the EU, which is the largest market for herbs and spices, Turkish Suppliers are heavily investing in GOTS, EU Organic, and USDA Organic certifications. They are adopting advanced processing techniques, such as freeze-drying and blending, to preserve flavor and ensure compliance with chemical and contaminant limits. This quality commitment is vital across the Turkish food industry, mirroring efforts in sectors like Turkey Dry Food: Sourcing & Investment (Internal Link).
Investment and Economy Context
Investment in the sector is focused primarily on modernization and securing the supply base through sustainable agriculture:
- Value-Added Processing: FDI is targeting companies that can offer tailored packaging solutions, retail-ready formats, and the extraction of essential oils (e.g., lavender, oregano, mint oil) for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors.
- Supply Chain Risks: While Exports are strong, the sector’s long-term Economy depends on mitigating climate risk and ensuring a fair return for smallholder farmers. The traditional spice Trade often involves complex, multi-layered Supply Chains where profitability can be thin, necessitating ethical Sourcingmodels.
The success of Turkey’s Spices and Herbs Exports demonstrates the strength of the country’s agricultural Manufacturing base, which continues to be a resilient component of the national Economy despite domestic cost pressures. The sector’s robust Logistics infrastructure further supports rapid Trade expansion into new markets, such as North America and Asia.
Next Steps for Global Food and Pharma Buyers
For international brands relying on large-volume, high-quality aromatic ingredients, Turkey / Türkiye offers the most secure Sourcing environment in the EMEA region for Oregano, Mint, and Red Pepper.
For assistance with strategic Sourcing, quality inspection, and identifying certified Suppliers of high-potency Spices and Herbs in Turkey, contact the experts at Burc Consulting.
