Cherry suppliers in Turkey have seen an improvement in their situation over the last two years, despite a decline in profitability in Asia, refocusing attention on the European market.
The outlook is favorable for Turkish cherry exporters, who experienced one of the best seasons in years in 2024, following strong performance the previous year.
In 2023, Turkish cherry exports reached 215,000 tons, valued at $83 million (approx. €78 million), a 60% increase over the previous year. In the first seven months of 2024, cherry export revenue increased by 209% to $4 million (approx. €3.8 million). The main markets were Germany, Russia, and Poland, with growth in value of 25%, 41%, and 112%, respectively.
Gökyigit from Alanar noted, "We had a good cherry season, probably the best in five years," with both volume and quality. While Asia remains a target, high air transport costs and slowed demand have reinforced a European focus. “Asian markets used to be more profitable than Europe, but now are on the same level, so it’s less worthwhile to ship so far,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Turkey continues efforts to expand in East Asian markets like Singapore, Hong Kong, and India. Initiatives focus on quality guarantees and residue control, such as the “Know the Pesticides We Use” project and producing cherries free from the Mediterranean fruit fly.
Read full article: Fruitnet
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