Turkish pomegranate size, production increase due to research

After several years of scientific research and improving growing techniques, Turkey's pomegranate growers have managed to increase their fruit sizes, as well as production. Those gains, according to Alnar Pomegranate's Ibrahim Kahramanoglu, translate to more access in the global market.

“Our agricultural consultants have been doing research on pest management, fertilization, irrigation and fruit thinning, amongst other things. The results of those studies have led to an increase in fruit quality and quantity,” said Kahramanoglu. Founded in 2008, Alnar is made up of 23 pomegranate growers throughout Turkey, and this season, those growers have delivered a big crop, both in terms of fruit size and overall production.

Thanks to thinning efforts, where surplus fruits (after fruit set) are culled in order to produce fewer pomegranates per tree, the average size of fruit reached an astounding 1,755 grams. That's the largest average size Turkish growers have ever achieved, and it coincides with gains in production. While Alnar exported 300 tons of fresh fruit this year, that number could have been larger had they not diverted a significant portion of their fruit to the juice market. Next season, Kahramanoglu expects to more than double their pomegranate exports, with 800 tons of shipped fruit.

“Demand has been higher, so we sold all of our fruit by January. We think that's because of a greater awareness from consumers about the health benefits of pomegranates,” said Kahramanoglu. “With that increase in consumption, there is now a gap in the season where demand is being fulfilled by more countries."

For more information:
İbrahim Kahramanoğlu
Alnar Narcilik Ltd.
Tel: +90 392 714 51 00
Fax: +90 392 714 15 15
E-mail: alnarpom@gmail.com