The export of satsuma mandarins for the 2015/16 season, from the Aegean region begins on October 26, 2015.
Due to the problems being experienced by Turkey’s geographically close neighbours and economic crises, satsuma exporters have a bleak outlook. Turkey left behind the 2014/15 season with $179,366,000 and is aiming to maintain that figure for the 2015/16 season.
Mandarins are considered an essential autumn fruit, a natural remedy against colds and flu, and exports of the product are due to start on Monday. The product started to be harvested on Tuesday.
Hasan Yilmaz, deputy chairman of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Union, reported an estimated 30% drop in yield to 152,455 tons for the 2015/16 season and said that the desired level of quality has not been met. The harvest for the 2014/15 season was 219,173 tons.
Although the satsuma yield in the Aegean region is low, in Adana, Antakya and Mersin there is not a problem reports Yilmaz, “We expect our exports to neighbouring countries to decrease due to Turkey’s political position. We expect our exports to Russia, Syria, Iraq, and to other Middle Eastern countries will decline. There is no noticeable increase in demand in the European Union."
“Exchange rates do not provide an advantage”
Yilmaz emphasizes that uncertainty in exchange rates has had a negative impact on exports, he said: "Exchange rates do not provide an advantage. Inputs are rising, uncertainty in foreign exchange is making exports difficult. The export prices of Okitsu mandarin which began on the 8th October 2015 currently do not cover the level of costs.”
Exports to Russia ranked first
According to the Aegean Exporters Union information, Turkey in the 2014/15 season sent 179,366,720 dollars worth of satsuma mandarins to 44 countries. This was a 5% increase on the 2013/14 season. Russia took first place with $94,443,000 worth of exports, Ukraine was second with $35,733,000 and Iraq took third place with $20,727,000 worth of exports. England followed with $7,412,000 and then Germany with $4,167,000.
