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Dear NAFTC relation,

NAFTC TR june 1

Turkish Cargo carries $18M of fresh fruit and vegetables

Turkey earned over $18 million from fresh fruit and vegetable exports made via Turkish Cargo, a subsidiary company of the national flag carrier Turkish Airlines (THY), last year, a 71 percent rise in value compared to the previous year. According to Aegean Exporters' Association (EİB) data, Turkey's fresh fruit and vegetable exports amounted to some $2.33 billion in 2018. The rise in the export of fresh fruit and vegetables was mainly because of the agreement signed with Turkish Cargo on making special discounts and flying to new destinations in May 2017.

The agreement to expand the market share and ensure fast delivery of fresh produce to the consumer markets yielded positive impacts on exports.

After the agreement was signed, a total of 6,215 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables, amounting to $10.522 million, were exported via air cargo in the rest of 2017.

A total of 6,691 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables were exported via air cargo last year, bringing $18.058 million in revenue with a 71 percent rise in value basis compared to the previous year.

The largest amount of fresh fruits and vegetables, amounting to $3.202 million, was exported to Hong Kong via air cargo, followed by Norway at $2.229 million and Singapore at $1.344 million.

In terms of products, cherries ranked first in the export of fresh fruits and vegetables via air cargo at $6.502 million, followed by mushrooms at $4.328 million for 201,906 tons of various mushroom types such as morel and truffle, corresponding to about $21 per kilogram. Fig exports came in third with $2.387 million.

Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association Chairman Hayrettin Uçak was quoted by Anadolu Agency (AA) as saying that summer fruits have ripened late due to seasonal conditions this year. Indicating that they have started the season quickly with cherry exports, Uçak stated that they will continue to work with producers and exporters to contribute to Turkey's exports with the harvest of other fruits as well. Underlining that air cargo is an important opportunity for exporters aiming to release their products to the markets rapidly, he noted, "Our exporters are getting used to exports via air cargo." Pointing out that they aim to raise exports via air cargo to $20 million from $18 million currently, Uçak remarked that they aspire to carry out 10 percent of overall fresh fruits and vegetables exports via air cargo in the upcoming years.

NAFTC TR june 2

Producer Price Index of Agricultural Products, May 2019

Agriculture PPI decreased by 0.95% in May

Producer price index of agricultural products (Agriculture - PPI), in May 2019, decreased by 0.95% compared with the previous month, increased by 13.34% compared with December of the previous year, increased by 30.23% compared with the same month of the previous year and increased by 19.93% compared with twelve months averages.

Compared to the previous month; forestry products increased by 0.09%, however, agriculture and hunting products decreased by 0.78% and fishing decreased by 7.79%.

The highest monthly increase was in perennial crops

Regarding monthly changes by main groups; perennial crops increased by 5.96% and live animals and animal products increased by 0.61%, however, non-perennial crops decreased by 4.52%.

The vegetables from sub-agriculture groups decreased by 9.92%

From sub-agriculture groups; there were increases for other tree and bush fruits and nuts by 7.57%, for cereals (except rice), leguminous crops and oil seeds by 4.69%, for sheep and goats, live; raw milk and shorn wool from sheep and goats by 1.27%, however, there were decreases for fibre plants by 8.04% and for poultry, live and eggs by 6.06%.

In May 2019, 82 items were included in the Agriculture PPI; while 6 new item was included this month, prices of 37 items increased, prices of 27 items decreased and prices of 12 items remained unchanged with respect to previous month.

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NAFTC TR june 3

Turkey seeks to boost tomato exports to $1 billion

With the development of greenhouses in the country, Turkey is now able to produce and export tomatoes throughout the year, said Hayrettin Uçak, president of the Aegean Union of Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters.

“In addition to fresh tomato exports, the vegetable is turned into products such as paste, dried tomato, frozen tomato, tomato juice and tomato sauces with higher added value,” he said.

In 2018, Turkey earned $603.6 million from tomato product exports.

Fresh tomato exports top the list with revenues of $292 million, followed by tomato paste with $164 million, dried tomato with $88 million, frozen tomatoes with $39.4 million and tomato sauces with $16.3 million.

The top exports market for Turkish tomatoes last year was Romania, which bought goods worth $43.7 million. It was followed by Russia ($30.6 million) and Ukraine ($25.6 million). Turkey exported fresh tomatoes to a total of 55 countries in 2018.

Iraq was by far Turkey’s top market for tomato paste exports, with total sales of $111 million. Saudi Arabia followed Iraq with total paste exports of $8.6 million, and Germany was third with $8.2 million. Turkish tomato paste was used in kitchens in 103 countries last year.

In dried tomato exports, which were made to 86 countries last year, the United States was the top market with $19.5 million, followed by Italy with $13.3 million and Germany with $9.5 million.

NAFTC TR june 4

Turkey aims to reach $350 million in truffle exports

Truffles have a world trading volume of $3.5 billion, and Turkey has a target to reach $350 million, grabbing a 10% share in the short term, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said. An annual trade volume of $6 billion worldwide is expected in the next 20 years according to estimates by economists, he added.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the General Directorate of Forestry (OGM) set the trade volume target for world markets sought-after truffle fungus species as $350 million. Thus, a truffle garden was established on an area of 357 hectares in Turkey.

Minister Pakdemirli said that truffles were a source of livelihood for nearly 200 families in Turkey, stressing that due to its natural distribution in a limited region and short cultivation, the price of truffles varied between 100 euros ($112) and 500 euros depending on the type and quality. "Today, France provides 45% of truffles, with a world trade volume of $3.5 billion, followed by Spain with 35% and Italy and other countries with 20%," he added.

The truffle, which was not on Turkey's agenda until nearly six years ago, is at the center of the attention of many sections of society, from hunters to investors, from consumers to tourism operators. The truffle, the fruiting body of a subterranean fungus, is increasing its value on a global scale every year. That truffles grow naturally in Turkey indicates that the country has suitable conditions for truffle cultivation.

The OGM has prepared the Truffle Forest Action Plan, put into action in 2014 to identify the richness of Turkey, to raise public awareness, to provide new earnings to rural people and to bring this wealth to the country's economy.

As part of the Action Plan, 4,000 people were given practical and theoretical training to create truffle ecology, economy, gardening, searching in nature and storing, to raise public awareness and to attract the attention of forest villagers. A garden was built on 357 hectares of truffle grafted oak saplings. As a result of these studies, two tons of truffles were produced last year.

NAFTC TR june 5

Early cherry harvest starts late in Antalya

In Antalya's Gazipasa district, the early cherry harvest has started. After the early cherries, producers will start to harvest the Napoleon variety that is their biggest export crop.

Producers grow cherries mainly in the Cile, Doganci and Gokcesaray neighborhoods and they cost 20 to 30 Turkish Lira (3 to 4,6 Euro) per kilo.

The harvest usually takes place in mid-April, however due to the unusual weather it started in mid-May this year, said producer Ahmet Ozdemir. Stating that the cherries are better this year compared to last, he continued: "Even though we started the harvest rather late, we collected high quality cherries. Producers are content with the harvest. The quality of the product is good, the yield is high"

Ozdemir said that they expect 300 tons of cherries and that they sell them for 20 to 30 Turkish Liras per kilo depending on the quality.

Nimet Sonmez, another cherry producer who has been in the business for 10 years, confirmed the high quality of cherries in the first harvest: "The quality of cherries is very good, the yield is high. We continue to harvest in a good mood."

NAFTC TR june 6

Turkey's hen egg production rises in April

Hen egg output in Turkey rose 2.5% on a yearly basis to 1.6 billion units in April, the country's statistical authority TurkStat reported.

The country's chicken meat production fell 6.5% to reach 179,039 tons during the same period.

Turkey's meat production also fell 23.7% year-on-year in the month.

Over the same period, the number of slaughtered chickens and turkey slipped 8.1% and 20.9%, respectively.

NAFTC TR june 7

Bursa black figs are becoming increasingly popular

Last year, Bursa exported 6 thousand 498 tons of black figs and Turkey overall exported 17 thousand 32 tons of black figs.

Prof. Dr. Senih Yazgan, vice president of Uludag Fresh Vegetables and Fruits Exporters' Association said: "These numbers cannot be undermined. However, our potential in figs is much higher than that. We export Bursa black figs to Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hong Kong, Italy, Belgium, and the Czech Republic."

Emphasizing that Bursa black figs dominate the market Yazgan said: "We have no competitor in the market. We expand our markets every other day. Last year, we entered the Chinese market. This year, we aim to enter Far Eastern, Scandinavian and American markets.

"5% increase in exports"
Vice President Yazgan said: "Last year we exported 15 million 32 USD (13,3 million Euro) worth of Bursa black figs and Turkey exported 38 million 897 thousand USD (34,5 million Euro) worth of black figs. This year our exports are expected to increase by 5% compared to last."

NAFTC TR june 8

Adana to have one of the biggest greenhouse production zones in Turkey

Adana governor Mahmut Demirtas spoke to the press about current economic developments in the city and informed them about the efforts undertaken to establish a greenhouse production zone in the Turkish city.

The zone will be a part of the Sera A.S. national company which will be formed to improve Turkey’s agricultural production. The plans to form Sera A.S were announced by the Minister of Finance and Treasury Berat Albayrak last month. Sera A.S will be allocated with 2,000 hectares of land for greenhouse production and is aimed to produce 25% of the country’s entire greenhouse production in the near future.

Adana governor explained to the press the role of the city in this massive project. Governor Mahmut Demirtas: “With this investment in our city, we will produce fruits and vegetables for the entire country and create hundreds of jobs for our people. I believe Adana needs to have a breakthrough in agricultural production. Our lands are extremely fertile and we need to grow products with high added value in this city. We have focused on greenhouse banana production as a start and now we have numerous greenhouses spread all around the city where high-quality bananas are grown. We will continue this with other high value-added agricultural products. We will turn our beneficial conditions into a competitive advantage.”

NAFTC TR june 9

Milk and Milk Products, April 2019

Milk collected by integrated dairies was 847 thousand 19 tonnes

The amount of collected cow's milk in April decreased by 6.7% when compared to the same month of the previous year.

Drinking milk production by integrated dairies became 138 thousand 731 tonnes in April and decreased by 2.3% when compared to the same month of the previous year. Cheese production from cow's milk was 59 thousand 612 tonnes and decreased by 6.2% when compared to the same month of the previous year. Cheese production from sheep, goat, buffalo and mixed milk was 4 thousand 13 tonnes decreased by 17.9% when compared to the same month of the previous year.

Yoghurt production became 99 thousand 309 tonnes in April and decreased by 1.7% when compared to same month of the previous year. Drink made of yoghurt production became 61 thousand 430 tonnes and decreased by 5.6% when compared to the same month of the previous year.

In April the average fat rate of cow's milk collected by integrated dairies was 3.5%, the average rate of protein was 3.2%.

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Kind regards,
NAFTC Turkey
Burçin Sayar - Karahan
Cluster Manager Turkey
E: burcin@naftc-turkey.com
T: +90 (0) 212 274 0153
www.naftc-turkey.com

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