Turkey's cherry exports exceed $101 million in first half of year

Turkey's cherry exports reached $101.72 million in the January-June period, surging 333% year-on-year as production recovered from the previous year's frost disaster.

Scraper SystemJuly 25, 2026, 11:06 PM

Turkey's cherry exports exceed $101 million in first half of year

Turkey's cherry exports surpassed $101 million in the first six months of 2024, buoyed by a strong production recovery. While frost last year had severely cut the harvest, this year's higher yield directly boosted export figures.

According to data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly, cherry exports (including sour cherries) reached $101.72 million in January-June. Exports stood at $23.47 million in the same period of 2023, marking a record 333 percent jump.

Western Mediterranean region accounts for 40% of total

The Western Mediterranean Exporters' Association, covering Antalya, Isparta and Burdur provinces, stood out with a 40 percent share in Turkey's cherry exports. The association's exports climbed from $8.524 million in the first half of last year to $40.615 million in the same period this year, a 376 percent increase.

Western Mediterranean Exporters' Association Chairman Mehmet Ali Can told Anadolu Agency that the frost wave in 2023 had a negative impact on production, while cherry yield is running quite high this year. Can noted that harvest began on May 20 and will continue gradually in different regions until the end of August.

Can emphasized that high production has positively reflected on exports, and said they expect the figures to rise further as shipments continue in July and August. He reported that exports from the region mainly go to Germany, Russia and European Union countries, with air cargo shipments also being sent to Middle East and East Asian markets.