Aegean Exporters' Association Deputy Coordinator Leader and Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association Leader Hayrettin Ucak highlighted Turkey's ongoing dominance in the cherry market, both in terms of production and exports.
In 2023, marking the Republic's centennial, Turkey achieved 83 million dollars from cherry exports, a 60 percent increase, totalling 215,000 tons. In the first seven months of 2024, cherry exports surged by 209 percent to 4 million dollars. Turkey leads global cherry production with a yield of 725 thousand tons, outpacing the USA, Chile, and Uzbekistan, exporting cherries to 55 countries.
The European region emerges as the primary market for Turkish cherries, with Germany, Russia, and Poland being the top importers in the first seven months of 2024. Turkey's annual cherry production stands at 736,000 tons, with significant contributions from the Aegean Region. The positive trend in cherry yield and quality has prompted an increase in the export target to 300 million dollars for the year.
Efforts to expand Turkish cherry exports to Asian and Far Eastern markets are ongoing, with current exports to Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and India. Initiatives like the "We Know the Pesticides We Use" and the Mediterranean Fruit Fly-Free Cherry Production Projects aim to ensure the production and export of high-quality, residue-free cherries. With the support of the Ministry of Commerce and various projects, Turkey aims to rank among the top three countries in cherry exports.
Source: raillynews.com