Turkey’s strawberry exports increased by 333% in the first quarter of the year. Hayrettin Ucak, President of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, said, “We have experienced an increase of 188% in strawberry exports to Romania compared to 2019. Our goal for 2021 is to increase our exports to $40 million.”
Hayrettin Ucak, chairman of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, stated that Turkey’s strawberry exports increased by 333% in the first quarter of the year to $4 million 307 thousand.
Hayrettin Ucak stated in a written statement that the Aegean Region is a pioneer in strawberry production and export.
60% OF EXPORT IS MADE TO RUSSIA
Reminding that $993 thousand worth of strawberries were exported from Turkey in the first quarter of last year, Ucak made the following evaluations:
“In the first three months of 2021, our strawberry exports in Turkey increased by 333% to $4 million 307 thousand, and in the Aegean Region reached $839 thousand with an increase of 160%. While exporting strawberries to 15 countries in the same period last year, we now increased the number of countries to 29.
In 2020, we generated an income of $24 million 590 thousand in return for 25 thousand 600 tons of fresh strawberries. Nearly 60% of the exports were made to Russia, followed by Romania, Iraq and Georgia. In particular, we experienced a 188% increase in strawberry exports to Romania compared to 2019. Our goal for 2021 is to increase our exports to $40 million.”
Stating that 22,620 tons of frozen strawberries were exported last year, a foreign exchange inflow of $45 million 423 thousand was provided, Ucak said that the USA, Germany, Canada and England lead the way in frozen strawberry exports.
Stating that dried and pre-sweetened strawberries were also exported, Ucak said, “In 2020, our dried strawberry exports amounted to $8 million 327 thousand. The average unit price of dried strawberries was over $4. The countries where it was exported the most were the USA and the UK.”
Source: NTV / Translated by Irem Yildiz