The Turkish export season for cherries is in full swing. According to Akin Soyleyen of the Turkish export company Aksun, business is booming, especially with regards to the Asian market. “We’ve been very busy with the Far Eastern market. The supply this year is good, we haven’t had any problems. The quality is perfect.”According to Akin, “Cherries are still a relatively new product for is. We just recently got hold of the operation capability to process cherries. This year is a good opportunity for us to increase our market share for cherries."
The Asian market is currently seeing lower prices for cherries. The US is usually the supplier of choice and customers were reluctant to buy Turkish cherries. This caused the export volumes to drop by 50% a few weeks ago.
“As long as the price is right, customers will always want to try Turkish cherries. Our main markets in Asia are Malaysia and Singapore. We’ve had a couple of promotion campaigns at supermarkets in these countries and the response has been great. We’ve also exported cherries to Hong Kong, though in lower volumes. Hong Kong has a different customer base and a market with more competition.”
Akin thinks that the success on the Singapore and Malaysian markets has to do with the novelty of Turkish cherries. “Our cherries are still new on these markets. People in Malaysia are now just getting to know our produce and they’re experimenting with it. But we’re gaining more of a foothold in these countries. The feedback from supermarkets that we’re working with has been great. According to some supermarkets, our cherry offers and promotions were even more successful than American cherries.
Akin admits that for Aksun, the best approach is to play it safe. “We introduce our cherries to companies that we’re already working with, based on other types of produce.
Figs
Akin says, "This season the supply of figs is looking somewhat same as last year meaning I am expecting somewhat similar price structure for them."
"Our fig season is going to start in 20 days. "Figs are an important type of produce for the Asian market and the fig volume is going up like crazy. Our main market for figs is Hong Kong, but we’ve reserved some volumes for promotion in Singapore as well. These volumes will be lower than the ones for Hong Kong, as Singapore consumers aren’t as aware of figs as they are in Hong Kong.”
When Turkish figs are in season there is no other supply in the world thus making Turkish supply more valuable for the customers. The only issue Akin see is oversupply; most exporters entering new markets are not aware of the market where they should be careful with the volume moving inside the market.
For more information:
Akin Soyleyen
Aksun (Turkey)
Tel: 0090-3242344190
Email: akin@aksun.com.tr
www.aksun.com.tr