Tart cherries are Turkey’s most popular fruit for processing. Growers of tart cherries in Turkey are pleased that growing the fruit is easier than growing sweet cherries and they’re earning well. In Turkey the fruit is processed into jams, marmalades, compotes and alcoholic liquors.
Kutahya region in Afyon is the centre of Turkey’s tart cherry production. While Ukraine is the world leader in producing tart cherries, with 200,000 tonnes, Turkey follows with 183,000 tonnes. Russia and Poland are behind them. The city of Afyonkarahisar produces the most fruit in Turkey with 45,000 tonnes.
Chairman of Aroma, Mahmut Atom Duruk explains that his company buys cherries from Afyon, ''Production is strong in the region because the climate and soil are suited to it. Hence the product shows great characteristics.’’
Kutahya tart cherries dominate the market
The Kutahya tart cherry variety dominates the market. The cherry is large, the tip slightly pointed and the stem is long. The variety is preferred for its thin skin and high juice content. Duruk explains, ''The colour and taste of the Kutahya tart cherry fulfils the need of the fruit juice sector.’’
Positive outlook in difficult times
Mehmet Ergene produces tart cherry seedlings at a nursery in Bursa. According to Ergene, tart cherry growers are earning well, ''In general the price of the produce doesn’t fall below 3TL. Last year the prices were between 4-5TL, this was positive. We hope that things will continue positively from here.’’
The product is mainly destined for export and although the export sector is experiencing economic problems, it is believed that in this period tart cherries will continue to rapidly be sent abroad. The fruit presents a positive outlook, as it moves smoothly from the growers to fruit factories and export, it presents an inspiring picture for Turkey's other fruits.
(1 Turkish Lira=0.31 Euros)
Source: tarlasera.com
