Turkey, the world leader in cherry production, has increased its export target from 250 to 300 million dollars, thanks to positive progress in yield and quality of cherries in the two weeks following the first harvest.
Hayrettin Ucak, vice-coordinator of the Aegean Exporters' Association and president of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association, stated that the goal is to achieve 300 million dollars in foreign currency by exporting 120,000 tons of cherries in 2024.
Ucak, who visited cherry orchards in the Şehzadeler district of Manisa, where the first cherries of the northern hemisphere grew, observed that they entered a cherry season with very good yield and quality.
Emphasizing that a harvest of 725 thousand tons is expected from the 22 million cherry trees in Turkey, Akşam stated: “This year, we aim to export approximately 120 thousand tons of cherries. I hope we will achieve this goal. “I think we will be able to achieve an export of 300 million dollars if an ideal price is formed in the market for our producers and exporters,” he said.
Uçar added that the regions where cherries grow earliest in Turkey are the Şehzadeler district of Manisa and the Kemalpaşa district of İzmir, and continued: “26% of our cherry heritage in Turkey is in Izmir and Manisa. We produce 147 thousand tons of cherries in Izmir and Manisa.
Export starts from our initial regions and then takes about 6 months with the participation of other cherry regions. Taking advantage of this opportunity offered by our geography, 796 thousand tons of cherries were exported for a value of 55 million and 83 thousand dollars to 215 countries in 2023.
Germany ranked first in exports with 95.5 million dollars. Russia followed with 43.8 million dollars and Austria with 14.2 million dollars. The "Ziraat 0900" type, preferred for its bright red color, coarse-grained structure, unique aroma, and long shelf life, is the main source of income for regional producers”.
Informing that Chile, the world leader in cherry exports, is ahead of Turkey in exports even though it produces much less than Turkey, Akşam said, “Chile quickly reaches China, the Far East, the United States, and Europe with its fleet of cargo planes”.
Turkey can reach Chile's export levels by first signing phytosanitary certificate agreements with Far Eastern countries, especially with China, and making strong use of air cargo. He concluded by saying, “I wish a fruitful season to our producers and exporters”.
Source: Railly News
Image: Railly News
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