Turkey's banana production was 250 thousand tons in 2013, which increased to 650 thousand tons in 2019. The country aims to further increase the production and reach 1 million tons. This will allow Turkey to meet their overall domestic need and stop importing bananas.
Grow Fide-Guney Agripark's Sales and Marketing Manager, Ferhat Ekimler, stated that Turkey's domestic consumption of bananas per year is 1 million tons and continued: "There has been a substantial decrease in our banana imports. As our company grows and as we expand our plantations we will minimise imports in 2020."
"We produce 60 to 70% of the banana saplings in the market. In the past, only Alanya, Gazipasa and Anamur were producing bananas, and these were mostly local varieties. As technology advanced, producers started to grow more aromatic bananas that are comparable to imported bananas. Alanya, Gazipasa and Anamur are still the main producers, but other growers have started to cultivate bananas also in Manavgat, Antalya city center, Fethiye, Cukurova, Silifke, Mersin, Adana and even in Aydin." said Ekimler.
If producers grow varieties that are durable enough for transportation, then Turkey can start exporting bananas to nearby countries such as Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, said Ekimler.
Saplings are produced in laboratories
Ferhat Ekimler shared information about the production of saplings as well. He said that they develop new local varieties in laboratories in Aksu district. He explained that the advanced technology allow them to produce hygienic and high-quality banana saplings.
