Denizli's yellow pearl, the leading exporter in Turkey
Hüseyin Memişoğlu, the President of the Denizli Exporters' Association (DENİB), stated that 48 percent of Turkey's total chickpea exports, which amounted to 27.9 million dollars, were conducted from Denizli.
Highlighting that Denizli held the top position nationwide with a 48 percent share in chickpea exports, DENİB President Hüseyin Memişoğlu said, "Our exports, which were 9.2 million dollars in 2022, reached 13.3 million dollars in 2023 with an increase of 45 percent. Chickpea, the traditional product of Denizli, emerges as an important food item due to its main ingredient, chickpea, rich in protein, mineral substances, and vitamins. Denizli chickpea, which stands far ahead in both production and export in our country, continues to be an indispensable snack on tables."
Stating that Denizli chickpeas have a great market potential both domestically and internationally, Memişoğlu said:
"I mentioned in our monthly press bulletins where we announced our export figures that the agricultural sector has been fruitful for our province. Our dried fruit and nut exports showed an increase of 140 percent last month. Chickpeas are one of the sources of abundance in our province, mainly produced in our Serinhisar district. We export chickpeas to approximately 40 countries, including Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, and Morocco. We conduct 48 percent, which is 13.3 million dollars, of our country's total chickpea exports amounting to 27.9 million dollars from our province."
Underlining that Denizli not only holds a significant share in exports but also plays a major role in production, making it almost the epicenter of chickpeas, President Memişoğlu said, "In a section of a highly popular cooking competition held in our province, chickpea soup was introduced. Thus, we present chickpeas not only as a snack but also enriched with different recipes to the taste of consumers, conducting communication and promotional activities. We take Denizli chickpeas to overseas marketing programs we participate in as Denizli Exporters' Association. We present them in tasting areas to visitors. The chickpeas we bring attract attention in fairs with their colorful appearance both plain and as confectionery. Additionally, in our URGE project organized for the food sector, we carry out studies on chickpeas and include them in our activities for increasing its recognition worldwide. I extend my thanks to our sector players who bring Denizli to mind when it comes to chickpeas, contribute to our provincial and national economy with sustainable and value-added exports, support the development of our industry with their production, and provide employment to our province.
