Press release…
Harvesting excitement is high for cherries, considered a symbol of spring and rebirth. Citizens who longed for cherries last season due to the climate crisis will see their cherry longing end this year. Cherry exporters have set a $200 million export target for the new season.

The cherry longing will end this year…
Hayrettin Uçak, Chair of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association, stated that last season’s frost events caused losses of up to 90 percent in cherry production, resulting in both a cherries-free period for citizens and a significant drop in exports. He added that this year’s cherry longing will end.
Uçak stated that Türkiye achieved a historic success in 2023 with 83,000 tonnes of cherry exports, adding, “Our cherry exports reached 67,000 tonnes in 2024. In 2025, we suffered a significant loss due to climate change. While our cherry exports remained at 6,000 tonnes in terms of quantity in 2025, the foreign exchange earnings were only $48 million. With a positive flowering period in 2026, we aim to exceed 60,000 tonnes in cherry exports and bring in $200 million in foreign exchange to our country. Our producers, exporters, logistics companies and packaging companies will all benefit during the cherry season. I wish a fruitful season to all parties in the sector.”
THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
