Producers in Dosemealti, Antalya, a city located in southern Turkey, have started to harvest their pomegranates. First they are sorted by size and color, then exported mainly to Russia and European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands. Producers are satisfied with the quality and the selling prices that range from 1,8 to 2 Turkish Lira (0,28 to 0,31 Euro).
"Harvest should be completed before it rains"
Pomegranate producer Mehmet Cingiz pointed out to the importance of speed in collecting pomegranates. They need to be collected within 15 to 20 days, Cingiz said. He stated that the harvest should be completed before it rains, otherwise pomegranates crack. The ones that crack are used in juice making, and the price decreases to 0,6 to 0,7 Turkish Lira (0,09 to 0,11 Euro), Cingiz added.
"Pomegranate producers are satisfied with the harvest. However, input costs are too high. We feel pressured by the increased prices in pesticides and fertilisers. The state can do something about pomegranates as it recently did with hazelnuts. Our product is fragile. We need to collect pomegranates in 14 to 15 days and send them to cold storages. Otherwise, rain season starts and the quality of our product drops." Cingiz said.
Exporter companies export pomegranates to Russia, European countries and Iraq.
Golden Tarim Urunleri's board member Fatih Tasli said: "We mainly export products to Russia. However, we also export pomegranates to Iraq and European countries. Last year we bought 800 tons of pomegranates, and this year we increased this to 1200 tons. We expect to increase our exports to Russia."
The company prepares packages of 6, 7, 9 and 12 and sends them to cold storages, Tasli said. "Our pomegranates are now in cold storages and we will export them as we receive demands."
