Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 4/21/2005

**GAIN Report Number:** TU5013

TU5013

**Turkey**

**Stone Fruit**

**Annual Report**

**2005**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Jim Higgiston, Agricultural Counselor

U.S. Embassy

**Prepared by:**

Yasemin Erkut, Administrative Assistant

**Report Highlights:**

After deciduous and citrus fruits, stone fruits account for
approximately 14 % of overall fruit production in Turkey. Turkish 2005
stone fruit production is expected to improve over last year\' s
results. Cherries and peaches are the main stone fruit exports although
dried apricots are also an important export product. The European Union
is the primary market for these products.

Includes PSD Changes: Yes

Includes Trade Matrix: Yes

Annual Report

Ankara \[TU1\]

\[TU\]

Table of Contents

[**Executive Summary 3**](#executive-summary)

[Production 4](#production)

[Cherries 4](#cherries)

[Table 1: Fresh Cherries, PS & D 4](#table-1-fresh-cherries-ps-d)

[Apricots 5](#apricots)

[Table 2: Fresh Apricots, PS & D 6](#table-2-fresh-apricots-ps-d)

[Peaches and Nectarines 6](#peaches-and-nectarines)

[Table 3: Fresh Peaches& Nectarines, PS & D
7](#table-3-fresh-peaches-nectarines-ps-d)

[Plums 7](#plums)

[Table 4: Fresh Plums & Prunes, PS & D
8](#table-4-fresh-plums-prunes-ps-d)

[Consumption 8](#consumption)

[Cherries 8](#cherries-1)

[Apricots 8](#apricots-1)

[Plums 8](#plums-1)

[Peaches and Nectarines 9](#peaches-and-nectarines-1)

[Trade 9](#trade)

[Cherries 9](#cherries-2)

[Table 1: Export Trade Matrix, Fresh Cherries
9](#table-1-export-trade-matrix-fresh-cherries)

[Apricots 10](#apricots-2)

[Table 2: Export Trade Matrix, Fresh Apricots
10](#table-2-export-trade-matrix-fresh-apricots)

[Peaches and Nectarines 11](#peaches-and-nectarines-2)

[Table 3: Export Trade Matrix, Peaches and Nectarines
11](#table-3-export-trade-matrix-peaches-and-nectarines)

[Plum 11](#plum)

[Table 4: Export Trade Matrix, Fresh Plums& Prunes
12](#table-4-export-trade-matrix-fresh-plums-prunes)

[Stocks 12](#stocks)

[Marketing Policy 12](#marketing-policy)

# Executive Summary

Turkey's climate has supported its growth as a major producer of fruits
and vegetables. In fact, as Turkey looks to begin negotiations for
eventual membership in the European Union, fresh fruits and vegetables
are the main commodities, which will probably be very competitive in the
European market. After deciduous and citrus fruits, stone fruits account
for approximately 14% of overall fruit production in Turkey. Most stone
fruit except for apricots are consumed fresh and the majority is
consumed on the local market. Although Turkey is well known for dried
apricots, peaches and cherries have become the major fresh stone fruit
exports for Turkey.

Turkish 2005 stone fruit production is expected to improve over last
year's results. In 2004, most fruit production in Turkey suffered from a
frost in April, which followed a mild winter. Some fruit trees had
blossomed prior to the frost, which limited yields.

Tree area for most stone fruit is not expected to change drastically in
2005 and 2006. In fact, stone fruit area has not changed dramatically
since 1995, although production has more than doubled. The number of
cherry trees is expected to increase slightly given the export
potential. Most cherry and peach production is consumed and exported as
fresh fruit while apricot and plum production is primarily used for
dried fruit.

On the trade side, cherries and peaches are the primary export products.
Peach, cherry and apricot exports have increased dramatically over the
past 3 years and exporters are looking to expand production to take
advantage of this situation.

Under Secretariat of Foreign Trade, Export Promotion Center (IGEME) does
not provide any specific support either to stone fruit producers or to
stone fruit exporters. They, however, conduct general activities such as
organizing fairs, trade shows abroad and carrying out training
(workshops, seminars, educational programs). They also conduct market
research on international markets and organize Turkish Export Product
Exhibitions abroad.

# Production

## Cherries

Cherry production in 2005 is expected to improve given improved weather
conditions. In 2004, most fruit tree production suffered from a late
season frost and an early blossoming which hurt production.

Among fresh fruits, sweet cherries have become very popular in both
foreign and domestic markets. Due to favorable weather conditions, total
production is expected to rebound from 2004 levels. The current cherry
(sweet and sour) production estimate is 400,000 MT for 2005. In
cooperation with private sector the GOT is beginning to implement
modernization projects for cherry growers**.** These projects include
training of producers on modern agriculture techniques, providing
equipment and assisting producers in establishing modern facilities.

Industry contacts stated that approximately 85 percent of sour cherry
production is used for processing into canned products, marmalades, and
fruit juices. The rest is usually sold fresh on the domestic market.
Processed cherries account for 15-20% of total sweet and sour cherry
production.

### Table 1: Fresh Cherries, PS & D

+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| Turkey          |      |      |    |       |      |      |         |
|                 |      |      |    |       |      |      |         |
| Fresh Cherries, |      |      |    |       |      |      |         |
| (Sweet & Sour)  |      |      |    |       |      |      |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
|                 | **20 | **R  | ** | **    | **20 | **Fo | **UOM** |
|                 | 03** | evis | 20 | Estim | 05** | reca |         |
|                 |      | ed** | 04 | ate** |      | st** |         |
|                 |      |      | ** |       |      |      |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
|                 | **   | **   | ** | *     | **   | **   |         |
|                 | USDA | Post | US | *Post | USDA | Post |         |
|                 | Offi | Esti | DA | Est   | Offi | Esti |         |
|                 | cial | mate | Of | imate | cial | mate |         |
|                 | \    | \    | fi | \[Ne  | \    | \    |         |
|                 | [Old | [New | ci | w\]** | [Old | [New |         |
|                 | \]** | \]** | al |       | \]** | \]** |         |
|                 |      |      | \  |       |      |      |         |
|                 |      |      | [O |       |      |      |         |
|                 |      |      | ld |       |      |      |         |
|                 |      |      | \] |       |      |      |         |
|                 |      |      | ** |       |      |      |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **Market Year   |      | **0  |    | *     |      | **0  | **MM    |
| Begin**         |      | 1/20 |    | *01/2 |      | 1/20 | /YYYY** |
|                 |      | 04** |    | 005** |      | 06** |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **Area          | 0    | 2    | 0  | 26000 | 0    | 2    | (HA)    |
| Planted**       |      | 5500 |    |       |      | 6500 |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **Area          | 0    | 0    | 0  | 0     | 0    | 0    | (HA)    |
| Harvested**     |      |      |    |       |      |      |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **Bearing       | 0    | 1    | 0  | 14500 | 0    | 1    | (1000   |
| Trees**         |      | 4000 |    |       |      | 5000 | TREES)  |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **Non-Bearing   | 0    | 5200 | 0  | 0     | 0    | 0    | (1000   |
| Trees**         |      |      |    |       |      |      | TREES)  |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **Total Trees** | 0    | 1    | 0  | 14500 | 0    | 1    | (1000   |
|                 |      | 9200 |    |       |      | 5000 | TREES)  |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **Commercial    | 0    | 35   | 0  | 4     | 0    | 45   | (MT)    |
| Production**    |      | 0000 |    | 00000 |      | 0000 |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **Non-Comm.     | 0    | 0    | 0  | 0     | 0    | 0    | (MT)    |
| Production**    |      |      |    |       |      |      |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **TOTAL         | 0    | 35   | 0  | 4     | 0    | 45   | (MT)    |
| Production**    |      | 0000 |    | 00000 |      | 0000 |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **TOTAL         | 0    | 15.7 | 0  | 15    | 0    | 15   | (MT)    |
| Imports**       |      |      |    |       |      |      |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **TOTAL         | 0    | 3500 | 0  | 4     | 0    | 45   | (MT)    |
| SUPPLY**        |      | 15.7 |    | 00015 |      | 0015 |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **Domestic      | 0    | 0    | 0  | 0     | 0    | 0    | (MT)    |
| Fresh Consump** |      |      |    |       |      |      |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **Exports,      | 0    | 3    | 0  | 40000 | 0    | 5    | (MT)    |
| Fresh Only**    |      | 9748 |    |       |      | 0000 |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **For           | 0    | 0    | 0  | 0     | 0    | 0    | (MT)    |
| Processing**    |      |      |    |       |      |      |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **Withdrawal    | 0    | 0    | 0  | 0     | 0    | 0    | (MT)    |
| From Market**   |      |      |    |       |      |      |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
| **TOTAL         | 0    | 3    | 0  | 40000 | 0    | 5    | (MT)    |
| UTILIZATION**   |      | 9748 |    |       |      | 0000 |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+
|                 |      | TS   |    | T     |      | TS   |         |
|                 |      | =TCU |    | S=TCU |      | =TCU |         |
+-----------------+------+------+----+-------+------+------+---------+

In the past 3 years approximately 15% of total cherry production was
exported. Industry contacts do not expect a tremendous increase in
cherry exports in 2005. In order to increase exports, about one third of
producers are being registered under the EUROPECAP program. EUROPECAP is
a program initiated by 5 retailers in EU to set guidelines for the
import of agricultural products and it is mainly concerned about the
production process. EUROPECAP is not compulsory in order to import to EU
nor is it an official governmental program. Producers registered under
EUROPECAP receive training, get advice on spraying and conduct
laboratory tests. Major private Turkish exporters are leading this
process and are encouraging smaller producers to participate in the
program. They are expecting an increasing number of farmers to be
registered in 2005. Registration in EUROPECAP will hopefully increase
the opportunities for Turkish stone fruit producers to export to EU
countries. Cherries are mainly grown in the Central Anatolia and Marmara
regions. Organically grown cherries account for approximately one
percent of total production.

The number of fruit bearing trees has not increased as much as
production. Even though the number of trees did not increase
tremendously, production levels have been increasing at a faster pace.
Major reasons for this are improved production methods, increasing
number of educated farmers, better pruning technique and better usage of
fertilizers. There are an increasing number of big and modern orchards
being established in Turkey. They tend to be between 500- 1000 dekars
(10 dekar= 1 hectare). Industry contacts are expecting Turkish sweet
cherry exports to be 100,000 MT by 2010 with the developments in the
sector and the ongoing popularity of cherries both domestically and
internationally.

## Apricots

Like cherries, apricot production in 2005 is projected to increase
compared with 2004 given improved weather conditions. The producers are
expecting a good harvest in 2005 and are estimating a 20% increase in
production from 2004.

Turkey is the leading producer of apricots in the world. As a result
almost 90 percent of the crop is used for dried apricot production in
Turkey. Fresh apricots are difficult to store and transport. They also
have a short shelf life as well. Turkey is also the leading producer of
dried apricots in the world.

### 

In addition to Malatya, a city in South Eastern Turkey, apricots are
also produced in Eastern and Central Anatolia as well as the
Mediterranean region. It takes four kilograms of fresh apricots to
produce one kilogram of dried product. Turkish consumers prefer apricots
from Malatya. Apricots produced in Malatya are considered the best type
for dried production. This is mainly due to soil, weather conditions and
also the sugar content in Malatya apricots. Approximately ninety-five
percent of the apricots produced in Malatya are used for processing,
including fruit juices and dried fruits. According to local producers,
trees had still not blossomed as of early April, so most producers are
not expecting frosts to affect the crop like it did in 2004.

### 

### Table 2: Fresh Apricots, PS & D

+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| Turkey            |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
|                   |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
| Fresh Apricots    |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
|                   | **  | **R  | **  | **Es | **  | **Fo | **    |
|                   | 200 | evis | 200 | tima | 200 | reca | UOM** |
|                   | 3** | ed** | 4** | te** | 5** | st** |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
|                   | **U | **   | **U | **   | **U | **   |       |
|                   | SDA | Post | SDA | Post | SDA | Post |       |
|                   | Of  | Esti | Of  | Esti | Of  | Esti |       |
|                   | fic | mate | fic | mate | fic | mate |       |
|                   | ial | \    | ial | \    | ial | \    |       |
|                   | \[O | [New | \[O | [New | \[O | [New |       |
|                   | ld\ | \]** | ld\ | \]** | ld\ | \]** |       |
|                   | ]** |      | ]** |      | ]** |      |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| ########          |     | **0  |     | **0  |     | **0  | *     |
| Market Year Begin |     | 1/20 |     | 1/20 |     | 1/20 | *MM/Y |
|                   |     | 04** |     | 05** |     | 06** | YYY** |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Area Planted**  | 0   | 63   | 0   | 63   | 0   | 64   | (HA)  |
|                   |     | ,500 |     | ,800 |     | ,000 |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Area            | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | (HA)  |
| Harvested**       |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Bearing Trees** | 0   | 1    | 0   | 1    | 0   | 1    | (1000 |
|                   |     | 1350 |     | 1500 |     | 1700 | T     |
|                   |     |      |     |      |     |      | REES) |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Non-Bearing     | 0   | 2120 | 0   | 2000 | 0   | 1800 | (1000 |
| Trees**           |     |      |     |      |     |      | T     |
|                   |     |      |     |      |     |      | REES) |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Total Trees**   | 0   | 1    | 0   | 1    | 0   | 1    | (1000 |
|                   |     | 3470 |     | 3500 |     | 3500 | T     |
|                   |     |      |     |      |     |      | REES) |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Commercial      | 0   | 30   | 0   | 35   | 0   | 37   | (MT)  |
| Production**      |     | 0000 |     | 0000 |     | 0000 |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Non-Comm.       | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | (MT)  |
| Production**      |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **TOTAL           | 0   | 30   | 0   | 35   | 0   | 37   | (MT)  |
| Production**      |     | 0000 |     | 0000 |     | 0000 |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **TOTAL Imports** | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | (MT)  |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **TOTAL SUPPLY**  | 0   | 30   | 0   | 35   | 0   | 37   | (MT)  |
|                   |     | 0000 |     | 0000 |     | 0000 |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Domestic Fresh  | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | (MT)  |
| Consump**         |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Exports, Fresh  | 0   | 7931 | 0   | 1    | 0   | 1    | (MT)  |
| Only**            |     |      |     | 0000 |     | 2000 |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **For             | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | (MT)  |
| Processing**      |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Withdrawal From | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | (MT)  |
| Market**          |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **TOTAL           | 0   | 7931 | 0   | 1    | 0   | 1    | (MT)  |
| UTILIZATION**     |     |      |     | 0000 |     | 2000 |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
|                   |     | TS   |     | TS   |     | TS   |       |
|                   |     | =TCU |     | =TCU |     | =TCU |       |
+-------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+

## Peaches and Nectarines

Turkey accounts for approximately 3 percent of total peach production in
the world.

Peaches and apricots have the highest production among stone fruits.
Peaches are supplied to domestic market for about 5 months. Even though
peach production is very high among the stone fruits there is no
association that deals with the peach industry or farmers. Most peach
orchards are relatively small and there are many producers in the
Turkish market. Recently some producers began to establish larger
orchards. In the past, peach production was focused mainly in the
Marmara Region, in northwestern Turkey. Bursa was the main center of
this production. Currently peach orchards have expanded to the Aegean
and Mediterranean Regions in addition to the Marmara Region.

The season for peaches begins in early June and finishes at the end of
October. The quality and the productivity of peaches have increased in
the recent years due to importation of young trees by the government for
planting.

### Table 3: Fresh Peaches& Nectarines, PS & D 

+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| Turkey             |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
|                    |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
| ####### Fresh Pe   |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
| aches & Nectarines |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
|                    | **  | **R  | **  | **Es | **  | **Fo | **    |
|                    | 200 | evis | 200 | tima | 200 | reca | UOM** |
|                    | 3** | ed** | 4** | te** | 5** | st** |       |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
|                    | **U | **   | **U | **   | **U | **   |       |
|                    | SDA | Post | SDA | Post | SDA | Post |       |
|                    | Of  | Esti | Of  | Esti | Of  | Esti |       |
|                    | fic | mate | fic | mate | fic | mate |       |
|                    | ial | \    | ial | \    | ial | \    |       |
|                    | \[O | [New | \[O | [New | \[O | [New |       |
|                    | ld\ | \]** | ld\ | \]** | ld\ | \]** |       |
|                    | ]** |      | ]** |      | ]** |      |       |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Market Year      |     | **0  |     | **0  |     | **0  | *     |
| Begin**            |     | 1/20 |     | 1/20 |     | 1/20 | *MM/Y |
|                    |     | 04** |     | 05** |     | 06** | YYY** |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| ###                | 0   | 2    | 0   | 2    | 0   | 2    | (HA)  |
| ##### Area Planted |     | 5400 |     | 5600 |     | 5800 |       |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Area Harvested** | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | (HA)  |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Bearing Trees**  | 0   | 1    | 0   | 1    | 0   | 1    | (1000 |
|                    |     | 3500 |     | 3800 |     | 4000 | T     |
|                    |     |      |     |      |     |      | REES) |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Non-Bearing      | 0   | 2150 | 0   | 2150 | 0   | 2150 | (1000 |
| Trees**            |     |      |     |      |     |      | T     |
|                    |     |      |     |      |     |      | REES) |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Total Trees**    | 0   | 1    | 0   | 1    | 0   | 1    | (1000 |
|                    |     | 5650 |     | 5950 |     | 6150 | T     |
|                    |     |      |     |      |     |      | REES) |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Commercial       | 0   | 37   | 0   | 370  | 0   | 0    | (MT)  |
| Production**       |     | 0000 |     | ,000 |     |      |       |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Non-Comm.        | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | (MT)  |
| Production**       |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **TOTAL            | 0   | 37   | 0   | 37   | 0   | 0    | (MT)  |
| Production**       |     | 0000 |     | 0000 |     |      |       |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **TOTAL Imports**  | 0   | 15   | 0   | 16   | 0   | 17   | (MT)  |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **TOTAL SUPPLY**   | 0   | 37   | 0   | 37   | 0   | 17   | (MT)  |
|                    |     | 0015 |     | 0016 |     |      |       |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Domestic Fresh   | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | (MT)  |
| Consump**          |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Exports, Fresh   | 0   | 2    | 0   | 3    | 0   | 3    | (MT)  |
| Only**             |     | 0153 |     | 0000 |     | 5000 |       |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **For Processing** | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | (MT)  |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **Withdrawal From  | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | 0   | 0    | (MT)  |
| Market**           |     |      |     |      |     |      |       |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
| **TOTAL            | 0   | 2    | 0   | 3    | 0   | 3    | (MT)  |
| UTILIZATION**      |     | 0153 |     | 0000 |     | 5000 |       |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+
|                    |     | TS   |     | TS   |     | TS   |       |
|                    |     | =TCU |     | =TCU |     | =TCU |       |
+--------------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-------+

## Plums

Of all stone fruit production in Turkey, plums have the fewest trees and
lowest production. Even though the number of fruit bearing plum trees is
very low, there has been a slow but steady growth since 1984. In
comparison to other stone fruits we can say that plums are the most
vulnerable to changes in weather conditions as some plum trees blossom
earlier than other fruit trees and are more susceptible to frosts in
early spring.

Another disadvantage in the production process is the characteristic of
plum orchards. About 90% of orchards are grown with other fruit trees.
Only about 10% of plum orchards are exclusively devoted to plum
production. This creates difficulties in spraying and fertilization and
it also affects pest control. Mixed fruit orchards also inhibit pruning
of plum trees as well.

### Table 4: Fresh Plums & Prunes, PS & D 

+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| Turkey         |    |       |      |       |        |       |      |
|                |    |       |      |       |        |       |      |
| ####### Fresh  |    |       |      |       |        |       |      |
| Plums & Prunes |    |       |      |       |        |       |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
|                | ** | *     | **20 | **    | **     | **    | **U  |
|                | 20 | *Revi | 04** | Estim | 2005** | Forec | OM** |
|                | 03 | sed** |      | ate** |        | ast** |      |
|                | ** |       |      |       |        |       |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
|                | ** | *     | **   | *     | **USDA | *     |      |
|                | US | *Post | USDA | *Post | Of     | *Post |      |
|                | DA | Est   | Offi | Est   | ficial | Est   |      |
|                | Of | imate | cial | imate | \[O    | imate |      |
|                | fi | \[Ne  | \    | \[Ne  | ld\]** | \[Ne  |      |
|                | ci | w\]** | [Old | w\]** |        | w\]** |      |
|                | al |       | \]** |       |        |       |      |
|                | \  |       |      |       |        |       |      |
|                | [O |       |      |       |        |       |      |
|                | ld |       |      |       |        |       |      |
|                | \] |       |      |       |        |       |      |
|                | ** |       |      |       |        |       |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **Market Year  |    | *     |      | *     |        | *     | #### |
| Begin**        |    | *01/2 |      | *01/2 |        | *01/2 | #### |
|                |    | 004** |      | 005** |        | 006** |  MM/ |
|                |    |       |      |       |        |       | YYYY |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| #######        | 0  | 18400 | 0    | 18400 | 0      | 18400 | (HA) |
| # Area Planted |    |       |      |       |        |       |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **Area         | 0  | 0     | 0    | 0     | 0      | 0     | (HA) |
| Harvested**    |    |       |      |       |        |       |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **Bearing      | 0  | 7450  | 0    | 7500  | 0      | 7500  | (    |
| Trees**        |    |       |      |       |        |       | 1000 |
|                |    |       |      |       |        |       | TR   |
|                |    |       |      |       |        |       | EES) |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **Non-Bearing  | 0  | 1150  | 0    | 1100  | 0      | 1100  | (    |
| Trees**        |    |       |      |       |        |       | 1000 |
|                |    |       |      |       |        |       | TR   |
|                |    |       |      |       |        |       | EES) |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **Total        | 0  | 8600  | 0    | 8600  | 0      | 8600  | (    |
| Trees**        |    |       |      |       |        |       | 1000 |
|                |    |       |      |       |        |       | TR   |
|                |    |       |      |       |        |       | EES) |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **Commercial   | 0  | 2     | 0    | 20    | 0      | 2     | (MT) |
| Production**   |    | 00000 |      | 0,000 |        | 00000 |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **Non-Comm.    | 0  | 0     | 0    | 0     | 0      | 0     | (MT) |
| Production**   |    |       |      |       |        |       |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **TOTAL        | 0  | 2     | 0    | 2     | 0      | 2     | (MT) |
| Production**   |    | 00000 |      | 00000 |        | 00000 |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **TOTAL        | 0  | 13    | 0    | 10    | 0      | 10    | (MT) |
| Imports**      |    |       |      |       |        |       |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **TOTAL        | 0  | 2     | 0    | 2     | 0      | 2     | (MT) |
| SUPPLY**       |    | 00013 |      | 00010 |        | 00010 |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **Domestic     | 0  | 0     | 0    | 0     | 0      | 0     | (MT) |
| Fresh          |    |       |      |       |        |       |      |
| Consump**      |    |       |      |       |        |       |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **Exports,     | 0  | 2906  | 0    | 5500  | 0      | 6000  | (MT) |
| Fresh Only**   |    |       |      |       |        |       |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **For          | 0  | 0     | 0    | 0     | 0      | 0     | (MT) |
| Processing**   |    |       |      |       |        |       |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **Withdrawal   | 0  | 0     | 0    | 0     | 0      | 0     | (MT) |
| From Market**  |    |       |      |       |        |       |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
| **TOTAL        | 0  | 2906  | 0    | 5500  | 0      | 6000  | (MT) |
| UTILIZATION**  |    |       |      |       |        |       |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+
|                |    | T     |      | T     |        | T     |      |
|                |    | S=TCU |      | S=TCU |        | S=TCU |      |
+----------------+----+-------+------+-------+--------+-------+------+

# Consumption

# 

## Cherries

The increasing popularity of cherries in the domestic market is mainly
due to changes in consumer preferences and precautions taken to improve
food safety. Instead of shopping at traditional open-air bazaars, larger
numbers of consumers prefer to shop at supermarkets. Approximately 85
percent of sour cherry production is utilized in processing industry.

## Apricots

Even though it is very hard to estimate the percentage of consumption of
dried and fresh apricots separately it is fair to say that majority of
the fresh apricots are consumed domestically and the volume of fresh
apricot exports is not as significant as dried apricots. Turkey does not
import apricots.

## Plums

Most of the plum produced in Turkey is consumed domestically or used in
processing industry for jam, marmalade and dried fruit.

# 

## Peaches and Nectarines

Peaches are popular domestically. Turkey' s peach and nectarine imports
are minimal and exports are high in comparison to other stone fruits.

# Trade

## Cherries

Mainly the high quality of cherries led to the significant increases in
export volumes in recent years. Exported sweet cherries are usually
better quality and are not supplied to the domestic market with the
exception of production from small farmers. Even some producers harvest
different products for the domestic and export markets. Higher quality
and larger cherries are normally exported.

Cherry exports more than doubled between 2002 and 2004 and it is not
expected to be more than 40,000 MT in 2005. There is an increasing
interest in cherry production in Turkey and industry contacts estimate
that in the next five years cherry orchards might increase in size and
quality. With the adoption of EUROPECAP program more and more EU
countries prefer to buy cherries grown in Turkey. The major importing
countries are United Kingdom and

Germany.

### Table 1: Export Trade Matrix, Fresh Cherries

### 

+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| ####### **Turkey**  |         |                    |               |
|                     |         |                    |               |
| **Fresh Cherries,   |         |                    |               |
| (Sweet&Sour)**      |         |                    |               |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Time Period**     | **Ja    | **Units:**         | **Metric      |
|                     | n-Dec** |                    | Tones**       |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Exports for:**    | *       |                    | **2004**      |
|                     | *2003** |                    |               |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **U.S.**            | \-      | **U.S.**           | \-            |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Others**          |         | **Others**         |               |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Germany**         | 12940   | **Germany**        | 17452         |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **United Kingdom**  | 4924    | **United Kingdom** | 5700          |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Netherlands**     | 4666    | **Netherlands**    | 4937          |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Russia**          | 2283    | **Italy**          | 4382          |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Italy**           | 2249    | **Russia**         | 2566          |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Austria**         | 1959    | **Belgium**        | 227           |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Belgium**         | 1815    | **Austria**        | 996           |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **France**          | 1366    | **Sweden**         | 572           |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Sweden**          | 449     | **Northern         | 246           |
|                     |         | Cyprus**           |               |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Spain**           | 425     | **France**         | 230           |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Total for         | 33076   |                    | 37308         |
| Others**            |         |                    |               |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Others not        | 805     |                    | 2440          |
| Listed**            |         |                    |               |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Grand Total**     | 33881   |                    | 39748         |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+

## Apricots

Industry contacts state that approximately 95 percent of dried apricots
are exported. One of the issues producers are facing while exporting to
the EU is the sulfur level used in order to color the crop. The EU
allows apricots to have maximum 2000 ppm sulfur level. Turkish exporters
therefore process dried apricots to meet the requirements.

Exports of fresh apricots increased close to 60 percent between 2002 and
2004 while export value more than tripled. Germany and Russia are the
leading markets for Turkish exports.

### Table 2: Export Trade Matrix, Fresh Apricots

+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Turkey**          |         |                    |                |
|                     |         |                    |                |
| **Fresh Apricots**  |         |                    |                |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Time Period**     | **Ja    | **Units:**         | **Metric       |
|                     | n-Dec** |                    | Tones**        |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Exports for:**    | *       |                    | **2004**       |
|                     | *2003** |                    |                |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **U.S.**            | **-**   | **U.S.**           | **-**          |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Others**          |         | ######### Others   |                |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Germany**         | 2932    | **Germany**        | 2897           |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Netherlands**     | 657     | **Russia**         | 2658           |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Saudi Arabia**    | 608     | **Netherlands**    | 805            |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Italy**           | 499     | **Saudi Arabia**   | 740            |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Russia**          | 398     | **United Kingdom** | 182            |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Kuwait**          | 211     | **Romania**        | 171            |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Austria**         | 181     | **Kuwait**         | 121            |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **United Kingdom**  | 143     | **Austria**        | 80             |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Greece**          | 131     | **Belarus**        | 71             |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **U.A.E.**          | 75      | **France**         | 31             |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Total for         | 5835    |                    | 7756           |
| Others**            |         |                    |                |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Others not        | 239     |                    | 175            |
| Listed**            |         |                    |                |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+
| **Grand Total**     | 6074    |                    | 7931           |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+----------------+

##  Peaches and Nectarines

Of all stone fruits more fresh peaches and nectarines are exported
followed by cherries. Still less than 10 percent of production is
exported. Most of the peach production is consumed in the domestic
market. As a common trend for all stone fruits, peaches are also used in
processing sector for marmalade, fruit juice and jam. The farmers tend
to sell their product to established exporting firms and these firms
have the facilities for packing and transportation. Turkey mainly
exports peaches to Saudi Arabia, Germany and Russia.

### Table 3: Export Trade Matrix, Peaches and Nectarines

+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| ####### Turkey      |         |                    |               |
|                     |         |                    |               |
| Fresh Peaches &     |         |                    |               |
| Nectarines          |         |                    |               |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Time Period**     | **Ja    | **Units:**         | **Metric      |
|                     | n-Dec** |                    | Tones**       |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Exports for:**    | *       |                    | **2004**      |
|                     | *2003** |                    |               |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **U.S.**            | **-**   | **U.S.**           | **-**         |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Others**          |         | **Others**         |               |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Russia**          | 18624   | ####               | 11338         |
|                     |         | ##### Saudi Arabia |               |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Saudi Arabia**    | 14410   | **Russia**         | 5611          |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Germany**         | 3001    | ######### Germany  | 1241          |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Romania**         | 1519    | **Kuwait**         | 475           |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Greece**          | 1243    | **Northern         | 388           |
|                     |         | Cyprus**           |               |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Kuwait**          | 975     | **Romania**        | 258           |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Netherlands**     | 692     | **Netherlands**    | 214           |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **U.A.E.**          | 492     | **U.A.E.**         | 187           |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Northern Cyprus** | 432     | ######### Oman     | 137           |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Austria**         | 390     | **Austria**        | 64            |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Total for         | 41778   |                    | 19913         |
| Others**            |         |                    |               |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Others not        | 2449    |                    | 240           |
| Listed**            |         |                    |               |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+
| **Grand Total**     | 44227   |                    | 20153         |
+---------------------+---------+--------------------+---------------+

## Plum 

There are not many large companies in Turkey that export plums and the
export volume is very low compare to other stone fruits. Especially in
2004, plum exports dropped dramatically from 2003. In 2003 exports were
5,889 MT and in 2004 it dropped down to 2,906 MT due to a frost that hit
crops in April 2004. Even though the total production did not change
much from 2003 to 2004, the crops that were hit with the frost were
mainly the ones used for export. Industry contacts are expecting an
increase in 2005 exports.

There are no government programs to promote exports. The major importing
countries have traditionally been Saudi Arabia and Germany but in 2003
and 2004, Russia became one of the top importers of Turkish plums.

### Table 4: Export Trade Matrix, Fresh Plums& Prunes

+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Turkey**           |          |                  |                |
|                      |          |                  |                |
| ####### **Fr         |          |                  |                |
| esh Plums & Prunes** |          |                  |                |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Time Period**      | **Jan-   | **Units:**       | **Metric       |
|                      | Dec**    |                  | Tones**        |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Exports for:**     | **2003** |                  | **2004**       |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **U.S.**             | **-**    | **U.S.**         | **-**          |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Others**           |          | Others           |                |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Saudi Arabia**     | 1656     | Saudi Arabia     | 1400           |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Germany**          | 1647     | Germany          | 514            |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Austria**          | 740      | Russia           | 298            |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Russia**           | 595      | Netherlands      | 236            |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Netherlands**      | 499      | Sweden           | 63             |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **U.A.E.**           | 109      | Northern Cyprus  | 63             |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Switzerland**      | 96       | Romania          | 54             |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Kuwait**           | 88       | Kuwait           | 40             |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Greece**           | 77       | Austria          | 37             |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Northern Cyprus**  | 72       | Switzerland      | 36             |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Total for Others** | 5579     |                  | 2741           |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Others not         | 310      |                  | 165            |
| Listed**             |          |                  |                |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+
| **Grand Total**      | 5889     |                  | 2906           |
+----------------------+----------+------------------+----------------+

# Stocks

There are no official stocks for stone fruits.

# Marketing Policy

The GOT does not have a specific export promotion regime for stone
fruits and there are no export subsidies for stone fruits either. Apart
from Kayisibirlik, cooperative that operates in apricot and dried
apricot sector, there is no specific cooperative for stone fruits in
Turkey. Turkish stone fruit producers, as well as other farmers in
Turkey, enjoy direct income payment, payment made to farmers per dekar
(0.1 of hectare) of their farm. Most producers are expecting the direct
income payment regime to change slightly in the near future. The GOT
recently announced a reduction in electric fees used for irrigation
projects. It, however, does not include fruit producers yet, but MARA
officials stated that in the near future it would include fruit
producers as well.

The private sector takes the lead in marketing of stone fruits. Major
exporters encourage small farmers to register under EUROPECAP. They also
put effort in education of producers and modernization of agricultural
facilities in rural areas.