Turkey: deciduous fruit output to recover

Turkish deciduous fruit production is expected to rebound this year due to good weather conditions during the growing season, according to a recent report from the U.S. agricultural attache for the country.

Apple and pear production in 2005 were significantly larger than the 2004, which were reduced last year because of frosts. Grape production is expected to increase slightly in 2005 because of good weather and increased plantings.

Turkey consumes most of its (about 90%) deciduous fruit production domestically. Only a small proportion of the production (5% or less) is exported with Middle East and European markets as the primary destinations. Russia is also a significant market especially for fresh table grapes.

Turkey could increase its exports if the quality improved. Despite some improvement in recent years due to better seedlings and production techniques, quality still remains an important impediment to increased trade.

To protect Turkish growers, a 60.3% duty is applied on fresh apple and pear imports and a 54.9% import duty on fresh table grape imports from all origins.

Apples

Apples are grown in most parts of the country with most concentrated in the South Central Anatolia and Northern Mediterranean Regions, including Isparta, Karaman, Nigde, Antalya, Eregli, and Denizli Provinces. About half of the apples grown in Turkey are Red Delicious (Starking) and about a third are Golden Delicious. Amasya variety is the primary local variety, which constitutes about ten% of total production. Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, Jonagold, and Braeburn, are quickly developing in Turkey.

In addition to a few large commercial farms, smaller farms (about 10 hectares) are also being established in recent years. All of these farms are using better quality seedlings and newer technology including intensive plantings on dwarfing and intermediate vigor rootstocks.

2005 production will be significantly higher than 2004 levels due to normal weather conditions, rising from 2.1 million to 2.5 million MT. The 2003 harvest ended up around 2.6 million MT.

Turkey consumes about 90% of apples production as fresh. It processes about five% for juice, canned products, vinegar or dried, and exports about one%. The remainder is losses, which is added into domestic consumption. The apple harvest starts in early September and prices vary a lot due to the supply and location.

Turkish people prefer medium-sized apples weighing approximately one kilo for 6. Turkish people prefer Red Delicious at the beginning of the season, but have a preference for Golden Delicious after the New Year. Cold storage facilities, however, allow most apples to be marketed during most of the year.

Amasya apples can be marketed longer without being stored in the cold storage facilities. Per capita apple consumption is very high and is estimated at approximately 30 kilograms depending upon the overall supply.

Pears

Many different varieties of pears, which are harvested and marketed in both summer and winter, are grown in Turkey. However, the most common varieties are Santa Maria, Cascia, Williams, Ankara, and Deveci.

Similar to apples, pears are also grown throughout the country on about 21,400 hectares, but more are concentrated in the Southern Marmara, Northern Mediterranean, and Central Anatolia Regions, including Bursa, Yalova, Antalya, Ankara, Konya, and Burdur Provinces.

2005 production is expected to rebound from last year's low levels, which suffered from frosts. Production should total 350,000 MT, up from 320,000 last year but below the 370,000 MT grown in 2003.

Turkey also consumes about 90% of pears as fresh. It processes about 2% to 3%, primarily for canning, 3% to 5% is exported and the remainder is losses. Per capita pear consumption is estimated about 4 or 5 kilograms primarily depending upon the supply.

Grapes

Grapes are grown throughout the country and they are very important commercial crops for Turkey. This report, however, provides data only for fresh table grapes. Almost every local region has its own variety.

Sultana grapes, which are used primarily to produce raisins, are also being consumed as fresh table grapes (which is now estimated as 15% of total sultana production).

In recent years, the production of higher quality table grapes through the use of improved production techniques in orchards has been increasing.

Table grape production is assumed to be about one half of the total grape production by the industry sources. Total grape production is estimated to be slightly larger in 2005 due to larger area and good weather during the growing season in most regions. Production is forecast at 1.8 million MT, up from 1.75 million last year and in 2003.

Most grapes grown in Turkey are consumed fresh. They are also dried as raisins (for both domestic and exports markets) and used to produce wine (which is growing fast in recent years) and raki (a largely consumed local alcoholic drink).

Industry sources estimate that about one half of Turkey's grape production is consumed as fresh table grapes, about 35 - 40% is dried (including seedless sultana and all other grapes), and about 10 - 15% is processed, primarily for wine.

Grapes are also processed for producing raki, juice, and vinegar in much smaller quantities. Of that one half, which is consumed as table grapes, about 85% is consumed as fresh, about 8 - 10% is exported and the remainder is estimated as losses, which is added in to the domestic consumption.

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