Both the Turkish cherry and apple orchards in the western part of Turkey have, says Emirhan Şahinöz, head of export operations for Turkish cherry exporter Poleks, "This spring has been particularly harsh. In early to mid-April, we experienced severe and sudden frosts in many parts of western Turkey, especially in higher altitude regions like Salihli, Isparta, and Afyonkarahisar. In our cherry orchards in Manisa and apple orchards in Tekirdağ, temperatures dropped to levels as low as -4°C to -7°C during full bloom, which is an extremely sensitive stage for both crops. The frost came after a period of unusually warm weather, which advanced the phenological development of the trees and left them more vulnerable."
According to Şahinöz, some of the cherry orchards have endured losses of up to 70 per cent. "The freezing weather caused significant damage to early and mid-season cherry varieties. In some of our higher elevation blocks, we've lost up to 50-70 per cent of potential yields. Lower altitude blocks with later-blooming varieties were less affected, though still not untouched. Flower browning, loss of fruit set, and in some areas, damage to developing fruitlets were observed. We expect total orchard yield to be notably below average this year."
Şahinöz emphasizes that the frost will result in an uneven harvest across the regions, complicating exports: "The weather will absolutely have an impact on the Turkish cherry exports this year. Although national export volumes might still look healthy, due to prioritization of export-quality cherries, the freeze will lead to a more fragmented and uneven harvest across regions. This can complicate harvest planning, increase costs, and lead to tighter availability windows. As growers and exporters chase the highest returns, we may see difficulties in fulfilling consistent volume commitments to international buyers unless weather conditions stabilize in the remaining production zones."
Given the lower production, exporters might be forced to reduce the range of their export destinations, Şahinöz explains. "We primarily export to European markets, including Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and increasingly the UK. These markets demand premium quality, large-size fruit with a strong shelf life. Given the current situation, we will likely need to increase collaboration with other growers to consolidate export-worthy volumes and may reduce the range of export destinations in favor of our most consistent, high-margin buyers. If the volume is insufficient, we'll consider strengthening our domestic retail partnerships."
The expectation for cherry prices to increase is very real, even in the domestic market, Şahinöz states: "With national production expected to decline, cherry prices will almost certainly rise. Export-grade fruit will likely command a premium, but even second-grade cherries will see increased demand. That said, logistics costs, quality fluctuations, and the need to meet domestic supermarket and wholesale demand will shift more of the supply toward the local market. Prices in domestic wholesale markets could increase by 30–50% depending on region and variety."
"We're expecting a shorter, more challenging cherry season. Yields are down, and quality consistency will be harder to achieve. We'll need to be more selective during harvest, and labor productivity may drop. However, prices should remain strong, and with careful planning, we hope to protect our profitability. Our main focus this year will be on minimizing waste, fulfilling priority contracts, and maintaining fruit quality under increased stress conditions. Strategic flexibility will be key," Şahinöz concludes.
For more information:
Emirhan Şahinöz
Poleks
[email protected]
www.poleksgida.com.tr