Avocado as one of the tropical fruits, its production has boosted rapidly in Turkey recently and amounted to 18 thousand tonnes by trippling in the last 5 years while its exports rose by 17 times.
According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) data, avocado production in the country has risen steadily for the past 5 years. Production in this crop increased by 40.5 percent in 2020 compared to the previous year and reached 5 thousand 917 tons. Considering the last 5 years, it was seen that the avocado production, which was 1950 tons in 2016, rose by 5 times. The entire production in question was made in the Mediterranean Region. Last year, the highest production was made in Antalya province with 4 thousand 930 tons, followed by Mersin with 871 tons. Other provinces where avocado production was made were Muğla, Hatay and Adana. Avocado was produced for the first time in Adana region.
Russia comes first…
In the last 5 years, approximately 3 million 529 thousand dollars of export has been made in avocado. The last year 1 million 479 thousand dollars of exports were registered. The said export was at the level of 85 thousand 464 dollars in 2016. Thus, avocado exports soared by 17 times in 5 years.
Avocados were exported to 34 countries last year. In this period, the most exports were made to Russia with 308 thousand 125 dollars, followed by Ukraine with 307 thousand 528 dollars and Bulgaria with 135 thousand 725 dollars.
In the last 5 years, approximately 7 million 348 thousand dollars of imports were made for this crop. Last year, 2 million 713 thousand 701 dollars of imports were recorded. Most of this imports came from Kenya. Avocado import from this country in 2020 was 1 million 799 thousand 188 dollars. Israel followed Kenya with 325 thousand 455 dollars.
Thus, a total foreign trade volume of 10 million 877 thousand 320 dollars has been created in avocados in the last 5 years.
Bumper demand from farmers…
Nazif Alp, the head of the Agriculture Chamber of Antalya’s Muratpaşa district, one of the prominent centers of avocado production, said that the fruit in question is now a sought-after crop.
“The demand for avocados is increasing steadily. This product is promising. Currently, there are many producers who want to produce avocados. Farmers continue to invest in avocado production. But balanced production should be done,” Nazif Alp added…