Bay leaf wholesale export prices vary by quality grade, harvest timing, essential-oil content and certification requirement. From our Samsun Alaçam production campus we ship to Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East; FOB Turkey prices in the 2025-2026 season are between USD 3,500 — 6,500 per metric tondepending on grade. This article covers the 7 main factors that drive price formation, the indicative ranges per quality grade, and the container-based export logistics.
FOB Price Ranges by Grade
| Grade | FOB USD/MT | Target Market | Typical Essential Oil % |
|---|---|---|---|
| SA Bale | 3,500–4,000 | Wholesale spice / QSR | 1.4–1.7 |
| FAQ Bale | 4,000–4,800 | Industrial + retail | 1.5–1.8 |
| SS Press | 4,200–5,000 | Distant markets (dense load) | 1.6–1.9 |
| Machine Select 4-7 cm | 4,800–5,500 | European retail / catering | 1.8–2.1 |
| HPS 5-10 cm | 5,000–6,000 | Premium retail / glass jar | 1.9–2.2 |
| HPS 4-7 cm | 5,500–6,500 | Premium gastronomy / essence | 2.0–2.4 |
7 Factors That Drive the Price
- 1. Harvest volume: Turkey supplies 93% of global trade; weak Black Sea seasons can lift price 15–25%.
- 2. Essential-oil percentage: Lots over 2.0% command 10–15% premium. GC-MS COA documents the figure.
- 3. Container loading window: Q4 (Oct–Dec) demand is highest; prices typically carry a 5–8% Q4 premium.
- 4. Certification requirements: Organic (USDA / EU 2018/848) +10–12%; Kosher / Halal +5–7%.
- 5. Packaging format: Vacuum small-bag formats add 15–25% over bale pricing.
- 6. Destination distance: CIF freight uplift runs 200–800 USD/MT depending on destination.
- 7. Annual purchase volume: 20+ containers/year qualifies for contracted pricing — typically 3–7% off list.
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
Minimum export order is one 20-ft container (~8–10 metric tons of dry bay leaf). A 40-ft High Cube carries 16–18 metric tons; FAQ and SS-press bales optimise weight loading. Less-than-container loads (LCL) are quoted only on special request — typically 2–3 ton trial orders — and the higher per-ton freight pushes the unit price up 15–20%.
Note: The price ranges above are indicative reference values; an updated formal quote should be requested for each order. Prices fluctuate with daily USD parity, freight rates and seasonal supply conditions.
Export Logistics
- FOB ports: Samsun (Black Sea / Caspian markets), İzmir Alsancak (EU, Mediterranean), Mersin (Middle East, Africa).
- Temperature control: Reefer container at 15–18 °C for tropical destinations; silica-gel desiccant added.
- Documentation: COA, ISO 22000, phytosanitary (Ministry of Agriculture), invoice, packing list, B/L. Halal / Kosher / Organic added on demand.
- Payment: Wire transfer (TT, 30% advance / 70% on B/L copy is standard) or Letter of Credit.
Requesting a Quote
For an updated quote on a specific quality / volume / target-market combination, reach us via the contact form or at info@ekamspice.com. Quote turnaround is typically 24–48 hours; sample requests ship within 5–7 business days as 100–250 g free samples (buyer pays courier).