As exports to Russia and the Middle Eastern markets have ground to a halt, and the share to Europe cannot be increased, Turkey is now aiming to export to Central Asian and Far Eastern countries like China, Japan and Kazakhstan.
Uludag Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (UYMSIB) Chairman Senih Yazgan states that this year they are aiming to increase exports by 15% to 120 million dollars. In 2015 exports to the EU fell by 1.86%, to the Middle East 2.67%, to the former Eastern block by 50.63%, to Africa by 3.55%, to other European countries 17.22%, reports Yazgan. “The Russian crisis, which began in November, negatively affected fresh fruit and vegetable exports. Tensions in the Middle East have also been reflected in the market. So fresh fruit and vegetable exports to the region have ground to a halt. The sector is directed to looking for alternative markets. We are working to maintain our position in the EU market, increase it even. We are aiming for new countries such as China, Japan, Korea and Kazakhstan. Last year we got permission to export cherries to China and the protocols have been completed. We expect exports to begin as of this year. The Chinese market opening up for cherries will significantly increase exports. We are also working on exports Bursa Black figs to the USA, Japan, South Korea and China.”
"Rural development projects should be supported"
According to Yazgan, supporting rural development projects and organic farming, as well as solving packaging and storage problems are essential for improving food security. He added:
“Marketing/increasing promotional activities, continuous manufacturer training, dissemination of TARSIM, improving life in the mountain villages to prevent urban migration, reducing product input costs, preventing the misuse of agricultural land and especially the protection of water resources, the implementation of a national agricultural policy-all are necessary to bring agriculture to the optimum level."
"Loss of Russia will be deeply felt"
Koledonya producer, marketer and distributor, Chairman Murat Bayizit:
“2016 will be a difficult year for fresh fruit and vegetable exports. We still haven’t felt the effects of the loss of our main market. It will be a year before this loss is really felt. The news that Turkey will start to export cherries to the Far East this year is the best news for the sector. China is a very big market, they buy a lot from Chile especially. If we could have complete control of the Chinese market we could realise sales of 80-100,000 tons of cherries. Established cherry companies will start trial shipments this year. In the coming year our company will be involved in this. Currently our main markets are America and Canada.”
'We need economic stability'
Figer Fruit and Vegetable company partner Sendag Uzun:
“Our company is mainly operating in European Union countries. We are constantly looking for new markets. Most recently, we have been concentrating on Scandinavian countries. Upon the completion of a contract, we will start to send our products. Increasing the rate of exports is closely connected to the market. In particular, we need economic stability. The sector also has some expectations. Some products receive state support, some don’t. We want all of the products we work on to have state support for both the producers and the exporters. We believe this will make a major contribution to the industry.”
Source: dunya.com