The earthquake in southeastern Turkey and northern Syria has severely affected the society there and, consequently, the agricultural industry. "We buy a lot of vegetables from eastern Turkey, such as cucumbers and zucchini, but also all kinds of herbs, depending on the market situation. Agriculture there has now been completely turned upside down overnight. Not only this year, but also in the longer term, the earthquake will have devastating consequences for vegetable imports from this region," says Mehmet Koyak, vegetable wholesaler and managing director of Berlin-based Anadolu Market GmbH.
The group of companies, which operates both regionally and internationally, includes a retail and wholesale division as well as a catering service. The core competence of the company, which was founded in 1991, is, among other things, the direct import of fruit and vegetables from all important growing countries, whether Turkey, Spain, Italy or the Netherlands. "We have about ten hectares of contract farming in the Netherlands. At the moment, about a month later than usual, we can access the first mini cucumbers, eggplants, and bell peppers from greenhouse cultivation there," says Koyak, who serves buyers in Germany as well as neighboring countries.
Turkish products at Anadolu Markt
The majority of the vegetable selection still comes from Spain and Italy. The cost increases and the current cold spell in the Mediterranean region are having a noticeable effect on the price level, observes Koyak. "Iceberg lettuce and herbs from Spain have sometimes doubled in price. These seasonal fluctuations always occur - especially at the change of season - but at the moment the business can hardly be planned. Added to this are the more difficult conditions in terms of logistics: our trucks from Turkey sometimes stop at the Turkish-Bulgarian border for up to four days, which in turn leads to increased customer complaints."
Nevertheless, Koyak is confident about the future. "Fruits and vegetables are enjoying increasing popularity in the trade. There is a lot of movement in the industry, thanks in part to the trend toward vegan diets. The trend is also continuing to rise in the areas in which we operate, such as Turkish imports. This is because Turkish vine tomatoes, pomegranates, and Sultana grapes are becoming more and more popular among consumers."
Further Information:
Mehmet Koyak
Anadolu Market GmbH
Mariendorfer Damm 70
D-12109 Berlin
m-koyak@hotmail.de