Turkey exports ice cream to 68 countries

SAKARYA – Anadolu Agency

REUTERS photo

Turkey has been exporting ice cream to a total of 68 countries and four free zones, gaining nearly $204 million in the past 5.5 years.

According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) and the United Nations, nearly 88.4 thousand tons of ice cream were exported in the aforementioned time period, with Iraq, Kosovo, Albania, Northern Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan topping the list.

Being the world’s 15th top ice cream and iced food product exporter, Turkey sold 88,366 tons of ice cream to 68 countries and four free zones between January 2012 and June 2017.

Considering that one scoop of ice cream corresponds to 50 grams, the exported ice cream in the past 5.5 years adds up to more than 1.7 billion scoops. 

Some $36.3 million were earned from ice cream exports in 2012, $38.3 million in 2013, $35.3 million in 2014, $36.4 million in 2015, $34.8 million in 2016 and $22.4 million in the first half of this year.

The export value of ice cream sold abroad was calculated as $2.3 per kilogram. 

Iraq topped the list of exports with over 18.3 tons of ice cream sold for $48 million in the past 5.5 years.

Kosovo followed with $16.6 million, Albania with $12.8 million, Northern Cyprus with $9.3 million, the United Arab Emirates with $7.6 million and Azerbaijan with $5 million.

Countries thousands of kilometers away from Turkey are among the Turkish ice cream producers’ export markets, including the United States, Australia, Brazil, China, Indonesia, South Africa, India, Canada, Pakistan, Senegal and Chile.  

Packaged Milk and Dairy Products Association (ASÜD) General Secretary Burhan Sakkaoğlu said that countries in the Middle East, Balkans, Caucasus, Turkic Republics and Northern Africa stand out among the sector’s export markets.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Sakkaoğlu said they have certain expectations from the state in order to strengthen their stance in foreign markets, adding that a plan to get rid of animal diseases must be formed in priority. 

“The European Union allows the exports of dairy products and ice cream produced with milk that are obtained from certified milk businesses. That’s why, the number of certified milk businesses that produce EU standards need to be increased with efforts aimed at increasing quality in milk production,” Sakkaoğlu said.

He also said that market activities regarding the Middle East, Far East and Northern Africa, which are significant markets for ice cream exporters, must be developed, adding that emphasis should be laid on the promotion of types of boutique and local ice cream in foreign countries.

“The volume of the ice cream market is 16.6 billion liters worldwide. Turkey, along with Indonesia, Vietnam and India, are among the markets developing the most in terms of ice cream,” he said.