With production increasing 96-fold in two decades, Türkiye is seeking to position itself as a new player in the European tropical avocado market.

The Turkish company Exporyum will begin importing avocados to the Netherlands through its representative in the country, Ramazan Sari, who is confident in connecting European buyers with Turkish tropical fruits. "With the harvest starting, we will have good volumes available very soon," he says. This initiative reflects the rapid growth of the sector in Turkey, which has seen its cultivated area increase from 70 hectares in 2004 to more than 4,700 in 2023, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK).

The leap in production has been impressive: from just 400 tons in 2004 to over 38,000 in 2023. The biggest increase occurred in 2022, when production jumped 343% in a single year due to new trees coming into production. Turkish avocados exhibit a wide variety of shapes and sizes, ranging in weight from 100 to 1,000 grams. This diversity could be a competitive advantage in the demanding European market.

Sari also highlights the potential of other Turkish tropical fruits, especially in the Antalya region, where more than 30 species are cultivated, including mango, pineapple, papaya, passion fruit, and dragon fruit. Antalya accounts for 55% of the country's avocado production, followed by Mersin (43%). The Alanya district contributes 80% of Antalya's avocados. Despite its growth, the crop still faces climatic challenges: temperatures below -4°C can severely impact production, depending on the variety. Even so, Turkey is emerging as a new supplier of tropical fruits to Europe.

Source: freshplaza.es