This year, the Turkish producing of lemons experienced decreases compared with the prior season. Mustafa Arslan, owner of Turkish fresh exporter MDA Agricultural Products, says: “Unfortunately, due to the changing climate and other factors as well, Turkish lemon production has declined around 25-27 percent from last year. A further reason for this decrease in production comes from the necessity that the market for Turkish lemons fell in the year prior, and there was is also the effect being unable to harvest the lemon trees over a lengthy period of time.”

Following a shaky year in terms of the market demand, Arslan thinks that better times will be ahead for lemon exporters. “Although there’s an unsatisfactory demand for lemons coming from regions like the Balkans, Central Europe and Western Europe, it seems that the most difficult time is over. The time for exports of Mayer varieties of lemons is approximately 40 to 45 days until 10 January. The Lamas lemons won’t be favored to export by exporters or farmers as prices for these varieties of lemons are not that high. It is better to store these lemons because the varieties are suitable to be stored for a long time, particularly in winter. One of the biggest issues facing a decrease in production is the difference in price between those exporters that provide high-quality packaging, and those that aren’t able to provide quality packaging. Unfortunately, suppliers that have to deal with this issue have their profits dwindle. However, European countries are the biggest customers of Turkish lemons, with the most notable the two being Russia as well as Ukraine.”

According to Arslan it is likely to be skin problems among those who eat Turkish lemons. “The Dry summer season and subsequent unstable temperatures in the period of flowering affected the quality of produce and reduced its quality. There is no efficient method for combating diseases that cause the lemon’s skin to get blemished. Pesticides and other chemicals are implemented in the confines of MRL limitations, which are compatible with EU however, we feel that European market players should be able to treat skin imperfections with greater awareness and sensitivity regarding clean and healthy goods.”

It is so bad the situation is so dire that Arslan thinks that Turkish lemons aren’t able to compete in the marketplace currently. “Egypt that is expanding and increasing its quality, is positioned as the most formidable competitor to Turkey. When they complained over our lemon prices in Spain and Portugal, we were forced to market tangerines with higher costs than they do. In Turkiye is a small country, we don’t have a competitive advantage over anyone else in the present. We’re struggling with costs that are a result of the an increase in inflation. We need to collect the lemons we produce, and eventually export it. This means we’re in need of new market opportunities for Turkish lemons. Our competitive edge has diminished due to the increasing cost of labor and freight on these American, Canadian and Far Eastern market. However, we believe that we’ll have a good position for the foreseeable future. We’ll do what we can in current economic and social conditions.”

Arslan believes that brighter conditions are coming: “We’ve left behind a challenging time with the months of November and October. It seems like the need for citrus fruit is expected to increase at least partly, because of the cold conditions to come. It is unlikely that we will have a tendency to boost quantity in order to meet growing demands. The season for lemons is only beginning with the Lamas varieties. I believe that the price to purchase a good quality lemons will decrease in the coming year as new varieties will be accessible.”

More details:

Mustafa Arslan

MDA Agricultural Products

Mobile: +90 541 348 39 09

Email: [email protected]

www.mda-agro.com