Value Chain Analysis in dried fig and chestnut: The case of Aydın province

Purpose: The main objective of this research is to reveal the economic contribution of each link of the value chain in dried fig and chestnut production. In this context, it aims to measure and analyze the economic contribution of these products to the province of Aydın by examining all actors in the value chain, including producers, intermediaries, processors and exporters in dried figs and chestnuts. Design/Methodology/Approach: The material of the research consists of fig and chestnut actors who contributed to the value chain in the districts and villages of Aydın between February and July 2022. A total of 241 survey data were used in the study, including 90 dried fig producers, 81 chestnut producers (171 producers in total), 20 dried fig intermediaries, 20 chestnut intermediaries (40 intermediaries in total), four dried fig processors, three chestnut processors (seven processors in total), 20 dried fig exporters, three chestnut exporters (23 exporters in total). In calculating the value chain, gross margin, absolute marketing margin, relative marketing margin, value added and proportional margin of value added calculations were used. Findings: In the first step in the proportional distribution of dried figs by actors, intermediaries have the highest share (73.4%), while processors have the highest share (69.91%) in chestnuts. According to the calculated absolute marketing margins, the marketing margin of dried fig processors is 66.09 TL/kg and the marketing margin of chestnut processors is 74.78 TL/kg. In both products, processors have the highest relative marketing margin, while producers have the highest proportional margin of value added. Originality/Value: It is the first study to quantify the value chain of dried figs and chestnuts.