The heatwave in Turkey seems to have come to an end, says Mert Mustafa Özçelik, Sales and Marketing Representative of Turkish fresh produce exporters Ana Fruit: “The temperature in Turkey is back to normal for the time of the year. From the second week of August to the third week of August, the temperature was a little bit higher than it would usually be during this point in the year, but at the moment things have returned to normal. The heat waves occurred between 10th of August to 22nd of August and on these dates our cherry season harvest was already finished. For this reason, while cherries were growing, we didn’t face with any problem in regards to these extreme temperatures.”
Özçelik explains that they were in between two seasons when the heatwave hit them, which means the damage was limited. “For the apple growing process, the growers have been informed and briefed on protective applications on apples. According to our observations, there does not seem to be big problem in regards to these heat waves. At the time of the heatwaves, the cherry harvest was already finished and apple harvest is only just starting. Also, in our packing facility, we’re providing ergonomic working conditions, which is why our employees were not affected by the heatwaves.”
When looking what growers can do to protect themselves and their crop from these kind of temperatures, Özçelik believes in the experts in the Ana Fruit team: “Our company quality control team and advisor agricultural engineers foresee this kind of natural events. In the beginning of growing season, the growers have been instructed to use Calcium (Ca) to strengthen the fruit and to cover from external factors. It’s possible to cover the fruits from dangerous sunlight rays with some natural materials, which is spraying to the product as well. With these kinds of applications, we can maintain the quality of product up to the mark and decrease the damage of temperature to a minimum.”
Ana Fruit will be exhibiting during Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong. You can find their booth in hall 3, booth 3C30.
For more information:
Mert Mustafa Özçelik
Ana Fruit Gıda San. Ve Tic. Ltd. Sti
Tel: +90 542 120 0732
Email: marketing@anafruit.com.tr
www.anafruit.com.tr