The Turkish fig season is underway, with variations in timing and harvest expectations due to recent weather conditions, says Kerim Taner, executive chairman for Turkish fresh produce exporter Perla Fruit: "We have two regions that we will source Perla figs this season. The earlier Aydin region began harvesting in the last week of July. The main growing region, Bursa, is expected to start in the third week of August. Both regions are starting later than last year, because of the cold winter that we experienced. Considering the staging of figs on branches with the late start, we expect a longer harvest, reaching the end of October."
Despite some challenges caused by the climate, the outlook for volume and market dynamics remains positive, Taner explains. "There are some fruit drops due to climate effects, but we hope to have similar volumes available as we did last year. However, it will be harvested over a longer period. This will be better for the overall season, without creating any pressure in the market."
© Perla Fruit Gida Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S.
Taner emphasizes that Perla that most of the figs are exported to European markets. But the Middle East and the Far East are also target markets: "Our major export markets for our figs are Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and England. We also supply the Benelux, France, the Middle East, and the Far East. Our goal is to grow organically with our existing customers by being the first and the last on their shelves, offering our consistent quality. We also try to organize effective promotions in order to drive sales to an optimum level. The best part of our business is receiving consumer appreciation messages throughout the season."
The development of new varieties plays a central role in Perla's Fruit's intention to extend the Turkish fig season, Taner states. "My dad, Yavuz Taner, has dedicated his time and energy to growing new fig varieties in his orchards in different regions of Turkiye, in order to prolong the Turkish fig season from three months to six months. These new varieties will be available in the Perla Fruit fig portfolio in the coming seasons. We are planning to market these figs in new marketing and sales formats as well as new packaging."
© Perla Fruit Gida Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S.
"Although we already have many years of experience when it comes to the export of figs, we're only just getting started. We see a huge opportunity to grow further in the global fig business. Türkiye has major advantages as a fig-producing country, and we are working heavily on unlocking the full potential among our growers. We continue investing in AI-driven selection lines and new consumer packaging alternatives," Taner concludes.
For more information:
Kerim Taner
Perla Fruit
Tel: +90 224 502 1888
[email protected]
www.perlafruit.com
