Turkish flower exports in 2021 soared to nearly $150M

Turkish flower exports hit $148 million in 2021, soaring 38% from the previous year, said an industry group on Wednesday.

"The sector has never before been able to achieve such a figure, so it’s a record," Ismail Yilmaz, head of the Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters' Association, told Anadolu Agency.

Yilmaz stressed that amid the pandemic, the number of countries Turkiye exported flowers rose to 83.

"Higher logistics costs have directed markets to Turkiye, which is (geographically) closer than other alternatives," he explained.

Carnations made up the majority of Turkish flower exports, he noted.

Underlining that the sector aims to achieve 20% growth in exports this year, he added: "We expect exports worth $180 million in 2022."