Smaller Fruit harvest in Turkey

WASHINGTON - Oct 8/06 - SNS -- Fresh fruit production in Turkey was hurt by poor weather conditions this year resulting in forecast declines in output of all the major fruits, reports the U.S. agricultural attache for the country.

"Late frosts in spring and very hot and dry weather in summer reduced yields, especially for apples. Production decreases are expected to be about 20% for apples, 10% for pears, and five% for grapes," the agricultural attache said in a recent report on the country.

Apples are grown in most parts of the country, but concentrated mostly in the South Central Anatolia and Northern Mediterranean Regions. Major commercial apple growing provinces are Isparta, Karaman, Nigde, Antalya, Eregli, Denizli, Yalova, and Amasya Provinces.

About half of the apples grown in Turkey are Red Delicious (Starking) and about a third are Golden Delicious. Amasya variety is the primary local variety, which constitutes about 10% of total production. Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, Jonagold, and Braeburn varieties are quickly developing in Turkey.

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