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
22 Oct 2024
The technical manager of Bloom Fresh for Australia and New Zealand, Arisa Hayashi, emphasized that these new varieties, unlike traditional cherry varieties, which require 800-1,000 hours of chilling, these new cherries require less than half that.
10 Jun 2024
On 5 June, six tonnes of fresh cherries were shipped to China in a reefer container. This important milestone marks the beginning of a promising export relationship between Pakistan and China, facilitated by the phytosanitary agreement signed between the two countries in 2022.
14 May 2025
Ankara University in Turkey applies dielectric technology and artificial intelligence to assess cherry quality non-destructively. The system enhances accuracy, lowers costs, and improves planning for harvest, storage, and distribution across the supply chain.
14 May 2025
The KISS system for cherry cultivation, developed in Chile and promoted in Greece, focuses on simplicity, pruning efficiency, and cost reduction. A sustainable method that boosts fruit quality and yield, ideal for tackling labor shortages in orchards.
