The harvesting of the Turkish apples has begun, and although weather conditions seem to be alright, one variety will definitely have lower availability, says Alper Kerim, owner of Turkish fruit exporter Demir Fresh Fruits: "We've started the harvest of the new Turkish apple season. The first crop is of the Gala variety and weather conditions are supportive for us so far. The total apple production will be at maximum ten per cent lower than last year. Especially Red Delicious apples will be less available this year."
As Demir Fresh Fruits mainly exports to India, the logistical situation was dire last season. Kerim is happy to see shipping lines offering options to keep the trade flowing via the Suez Canal. "Our main markets are Asian countries and the most valuable destination is India for us. The Red Sea crisis continues, but a few new shipping lines have opened new options to pass through the Suez Canal. Their freight raters are a little bit higher, but we'll prefer to use them, because these are perishable products and we can't choose lower costs and allowing our apples to reach their destination in lower conditions."
It can't be understated how bad the previous apple season was for Kerim. He states it was the worst one of the decade: "Last year was a disaster for all parties. Especially for exporters like us, which shipped high volumes, because both the transit times increased and the cost associated with the transport increased as well. There were some destinations that completely collapsed, as everybody was in such a panic that the started shipping whatever they had available, resulting in a lot of apples on the market. Honestly, for us it was the worst season of the last ten years."
India isn't the only market that Demir Fresh Fruits will focus on for the season, Kerim says. "Our main market will remain India, because we have very good and valuable partners and friends in India and are looking for long-term business with our partners there. Other than India, we export to the Gulf countries, Far East Asian countries, so we'll have our eyes on these countries."
As India had to deal with weather and is facing a delayed and damaged harvest, there could be more demand for the Turkish apples this season: "The bad weather in India will affect us, but India's apple production is mainly on the north side of India and local crops only reach the south of India in very small volumes, due to local transportation challenges. For us the transport time is also a lot higher, due to the problems in the Red Sea, and as such we'll focus mostly on the south-side ports, to make our apples as attractive as can be in India," Kerim concludes.
For more information:
Alper Kerim
Demir Fresh Fruits
Tel: +90 532 514 2080
Email: [email protected]
www.dff.com.tr