In the first half of 2023, foreign sales of $353 million 505 thousand were realized from Mersin, Hatay and Adana, which are the citrus production centers of Turkiye.
The Eastern Mediterranean cities, which are known as “Turkiye’s fruit warehouse” and where many products are grown in their fertile lands, also played an important role in citrus production and export.
According to the information compiled from the data of the Mediterranean Exporters’ Associations (AKIB), $452 million 782 thousand of foreign currency input was obtained from citrus exports in the January-June period. 78.7% of this was made from Mersin, Hatay and Adana.
Citrus exports from these 3 provinces in the first half of last year increased by 17% in the same period of this year and reached $353 million 504 thousand.
In the January-June period of this year, $216 million 760 thousand of citrus fruits were exported from Mersin, $78 million 57 thousand from Hatay and $58 million 687 thousand from Adana.
Kemal Kacmaz, Deputy Chairman of the National Citrus Council, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that citrus exports continue to make a significant contribution to the country’s economy.
“We manufacture in a lucky region”
Stating that Mersin, Hatay and Adana carried citrus exports in the January-June period, Kacmaz continued:
“Mersin, known as the capital of citrus fruit, made the most important contribution to exports. This province was followed by Hatay and Adana, respectively. This region is the place where the most citrus fruit production is made. It ranks first with export capacity due to the high production. Production is also carried out in Antalya and Izmir. Due to the weather in our geography and the good production conditions, our products are preferred, consumed and demanded in the world. We are producing in a lucky region. We expect the export of citrus fruits, which we produce, to increase in the coming periods.”
Kacmaz stated that they have started working for the new season, and that they are examining the gardens where production is made, and noted that they are well prepared for the next season.
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz