Turkish Confectionery Production Prepared by IGEME Export Promotion Center of Turkey he sugar and chocolate confec- The gum sector is another dynamic the production of Turkish delight, halva Ttionery sector in Turkey is his- area within confectionery. The Turk- and chocolate, and Turkish sultanas torically based on the production of ish gum market is very competitive (raisins) are used in the production of traditional Turkish confectionery prod- due to the presence of powerful local certain cakes, biscuits, and confec- ucts such as Turkish delight and halva. and multinational companies, which tionery products. The advantage of The Turkish confectionery sector have been operating for a long time being a producer and supplier of many has always been dynamic due to in the market. agricultural products combined with Turkey’s young and growing popula- Turkey has the advantage of being a high technology has increased the prod- tion, and traditional habits of con- main producer of a main confec- uct variety in the industry. Apricots and sumption. Sugar confectionery plays a tionery ingredient— sugar. Turkey also dried apricots have been used in the great role in Turkish tradition, being supplies a majority of the world’s dried production of newly developed con- widely exchanged as gifts during reli- fruits (dried apricots, raisins) and edi- fectionery products such as apricot bars, gious festivals, wedding ceremonies ble nuts (hazelnuts). The hazelnut, in delight and paste in recent years. and celebrations. It is also a common particular, is now one of the basic Turkey also provides good oppor- present when visiting family or friends. ingredients widely used in the con- tunities for its confectionery produc- This traditional popularity means fectionery sector. Hazelnut flour and ers and exporters due to four factors: sugar confectionery performs much roasted and sliced hazelnuts are used in the potential for increase in the over- better in Turkey than in many other the production of sweets, cakes and all size of the market, an increasing countries. biscuits. Hazelnut paste is used in the young population, proximity to However, despite their popularity, production of chocolate. The special import markets and a strong poten- traditional confectionery products are products supplied for direct con- tial for growth in tourism. strongly challenged by other confec- sumption are hazelnut puree, halva Production trends of confectionery tionery products, particularly choco- and hazelnut cream. products are closely related to domes- late confectionery. Turkish pistachios are also used in tic and foreign demand. Production Chocolate confectionery is one of the most dynamic products in Turkey due to several factors, such as the Production of Sugar and Chocolate Confectionery (1,000 tons) young, rapidly growing population 2005* 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 Chewing gum 90 83 74 64 66 63 74 and their rising demand for chocolate Candies 180 175 156 142 147 138 133 with toys, developing distribution Turkish Delight 50 48 46 42 44 43 40 Halva 59 58 56 52 53 52 49 channels, manufacturers’ heavy adver- Chocolate and preparations 182 173 157 123 131 118 99 tising, new product developments and TOTAL 561 525 491 422 441 414 395 increasing multinational investments. *Estimated Source: State Planning Organization The Manufacturing Confectioner • April 2008 29.