Turkey: Record number of peach exports

Turkey's peach exports increased in 2018 by 43,7% compared to 2017 and the volume reached 128.6 thousand tons. Peaches are exported to 65 countries, and Russia is the major importer. While half of the peaches were exported to Russia, exports to Romania and Syria increased during same season by 164%.

According to the Uludag Exporters Union, the total volume of peach export was 89,5 thousand in 2017, and in 2018 this reached a record level of 128,6 thousand tons.

The revenue generated from the export of this fruit increased by 24,6% and reached a total of 87,6 million USD (77 million Euro).

Peaches are grown in Turkey mainly in Canakkale and Bursa. Russia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Syria are top importers of Turkish peaches. The export to Russia increased by 30% and reached 72,7 thousand tons. Russia paid 66,8 million USD (58,7 million Euro) for Turkish peaches.

Iraq is the second largest importer of Turkish peaches. The export of peaches to Iraq increased by 66% and reached 23 thousand tons and the export value increased by 21% and the total revenue reached 5,6 million USD (4,92 million Euro).

Export to Romania increased from 600 tons to 4,2 tons and export to Syria increased from 3,5 thousand tons to 9,4 thousand tons.

Even though the export to Saudi Arabia decreased by 14%, the volume was still large. Saudi Arabia imported 2,5 tons of Turkish peaches and became the fourth largest importer of this product.

Senih Yazgan, Vice President of the Uludag Exporters Union emphasized that Turkey' peach export reached a level above 100 thousand tons for the first time and said:

"We receive different types of demands from abroad. If we manage to meet these demands and overcome our quality issues we can increase our export. I hope that weather conditions and all other variables will work out in our favor."

The numbers of peaches exported for the last 10 years are as follows:

YEARS  / Thousand tons / USD

Source: Haberturk