Despite reports of an economic downturn in Turkey, Verita Holland's exotic fruit exports to that country are thriving. This Dutch company exports products like mangoes, avocados, limes, blackberries, passion fruit, pitahaya, and physalis to Turkey. "Don't ask me why, but it seems the worse the news about the Turkish economy gets, the more we sell," says Muhammet Cakir.
"It could be because we primarily serve the Turkish middle class, who are perhaps less affected by the lira's depreciation." Turkish supermarkets are Verita Holland's largest annual customers. In the summer, demand shifts to the south of Turkey, where most of the hotels and other tourist establishments are. "Turkey has considerable local produce available in the summer. And if, say, Turkish nectarines cost €2 and imported mangoes €10, the locals will avoid those mangoes for a while," Muhammet explains.
Also, Turkey has recently significantly invested in both open-field and greenhouse tropical fruit production. The country is, thus, cultivating more avocados, papayas, passion fruits, pitahayas, and even mangoes. "It's going extremely well. The Fuerte avocados are of especially astonishingly good quality. It won't be long before those Turkish products go to Northwest Europe."
Turkey's increasing local production could impact imports, but Muhammet sees these emerging crops more as an opportunity than a threat. "It offers chances for export and with our trading know-how, we can export Turkish products effectively. Most certifications don't meet European market demands yet, but we're already exporting Turkish products to places like Ukraine, Georgia, and Russia, where certification is less important," he concludes.
For more information:
Muhammet Cakir
Verita Holland
35 Handelsweg
2988 DB, Ridderkerk, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0) 180 615 750
mcakir@veritaholland.nl
www.veritaholland.nl