96.6% of the raspberries produced in Turkey come from Bursa. The city has been quite successful with its "Black Bursa" branding for black figs and is now working on a project to export its raspberries.
Tarim A.S., a municipally owned corporation in Bursa, aims to increase the production of raspberries from the current volume of 4 thousand 989 tons to 10 thousand tons. Besides increasing the yields, Tarim A.S. also invests in education for the farmers in order to ensure a high quality production. A visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the leading raspberry producers in Europe, took place last year. Within the scope of the project, experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo will now visit Bursa and share their know-how with the producers.
Pilot gardens will be set
Tarim A.S. will bring 100 thousand raspberries saplings from Bosnia Herzegovina and will create pilot gardens. Thanks to these efforts, current yields are expected to double. Bursa, as a black fig exporter looks forward to exporting its raspberries as well.
"An advantageous product"
Fetullah Bingul, Tarim A.S.'s General Manager, said that the revenue from raspberries in the domestic market has been below their expectations. Pointing to the global demand, Bingul said: "Raspberries have a short shelf life. This limits its consumption as a fresh produce. Raspberries are very nutritious and this makes them desirable in the global market. We aim to export raspberries and make sure that our producers benefit from this."
Source: Sabah (Muharrem Dogantez)