TURKISH AGRI.NEWS

Avocados produced in Alanya, a leading agricultural district in Turkey's Mediterranean city Antalya, has begun exporting avocados to Poland. It joins Alanya's existing markets like Ukraine, Romania, Russia, Georgia and Iran. Alanya Avocado Producers Association Chairman Hilmi Sevilgen said the association recently recorded its first exports of "early" avocados. He added that Alanya accounts for more than 70 percent of avocados produced in Turkey. "We aim to produce 50 million avocados in an area of 40,000 hectares," he said. Sevilgen noted that avocado production was not at the desired level in recent years, but together with the harvest of "early" avocados, demands from abroad have begun to increase. He also noted they wanted to expand the market for avocado exports. "We have sent 5,000 avocados to Poland on a trial basis. When we have enough products, we will send 90,000 more avocados to Poland," Sevilgen said. "Normally we w...

This year 50 million units of avocados are targeted in around 40 000 hectars in Antalya's Alanya county where about 80 percent of the production provided in Turkey. Avocado started harvesting in the region and is expected to be exported to countries such as Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia and Iran. Avocados brought to Turkey from Mexico in 1953 just for hobby purposes. However by the time consumption increased, then in the beginning of 1990's commercially production of avocados started mostly in Alanya, Gazipaşa, Anamur and Mersin regions. The production of avocado in Alanya that is known for its antioxidant speciality and 4 of which is approximately 1 kilogram, is boosting steadily. Alanya, the county meets 80 percent production of avocados, inthe past year reached 40 million units produced. Avocado started harvesting this year and this figure is expected to be 50 million due to normal weather conditions. The price of wholesale pieces varies between 4-4.5 liras acc...