In the Şehzadeler district of Manisa, which is home to 2.4 million of Turkey's 22 million cherry trees, the first cherry harvest in the northern hemisphere has taken place. The first harvested cherry was sold at auction for a symbolic amount of 2,000 Turkish lira.
Hayrettin Uçak, Coordinator Vice President of the Aegean Exporters' Unions and President of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Union, stated that the cherry trees in Manisa Şehzadeler had a very beautiful flowering phase.
He added that the cherry trees bore fruit a week earlier in 2024 to break the export record, aiming to export between 90 and 100 thousand tons of the expected harvest of 725 thousand tons of cherries and to earn 250 million dollars annually for Turkey.
President Uçak emphasized that Manisa and İzmir are regions that produce early cherries, saying, "In 2023, the centennial year of our Republic, we exported 83 thousand tons of cherries, generating 215 million dollars. We want to start the second century of our Republic successfully."
"We are by far world leaders in cherry production with a harvest of 725 thousand tons, and we are among the top four countries in the world in exports. We aim to enter the top three countries in exports."
Uçak informed that the main markets for Turkish cherries are Germany and the Russian Federation, adding, "Countries like India, Singapore, and Hong Kong love our cherries, and we have the potential to increase our exports to these countries.
China is also one of the markets where Turkish cherries could develop significantly. We are working to ensure that Turkey produces and exports high-quality cherries without residues with projects such as 'Knowing the Pesticides We Use' and 'Production of Fruit Mediterranean Cherry Free from the Mediterranean Fruit Fly'.
We are continuing contacts with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to conclude agreements on the phytosanitary certifications necessary to export to countries like China and India. With these steps, we aim to expand Turkey's market share in exports.
One of our priorities is for Turkey to achieve sustainable growth and exploit its potential in cherry exports globally. Chile, while producing 10% of the world's cherries, exports 30%. Turkey, on the other hand, produces 30% but exports only 10%. We are trying to resolve this contradiction. I wish for a fruitful, beneficial, and export-rich cherry season for our producers, exporters, and our country."
In 2023, Turkey exported cherries worth 215 million dollars, with Germany leading the way with a demand for Turkish cherries worth 95.5 million dollars.
In the fresh fruit and vegetable export sector, Russia is Turkey's main export market, having become a leading partner in 2023 with a demand for Turkish cherries worth 43.8 million dollars. In third place for cherry exports is Austria, with a demand of 14.2 million dollars. In 2023, Turkey exported cherries to 55 countries, with other countries in the top 10 including Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Iraq, Poland, Bulgaria, and the United Kingdom.
Source: Rayhaber
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