Mundus-Agri. The market expects production to range 20% higher than last year.
Fresh fig exports underway.
While last year's production was hit by drought, prospects are much better this year. Rains in winter and spring may even drive up yields by 15-20%, and fresh fig exports are already in full swing. Buharkent district is the production hub for fresh figs as annual production ranges at 25,000-30,000 mt. Black fig harvesting here starts 15 days earlier than in other places such as Bursa.
The prices for dried figs from the new crop will be issued as soon as assessments have been completed, after which the Aegean Exporters' Association will also announce when the export season for dried figs will start. Growers report that the quality of the new crop is good, although there are concerns over high temperatures and drought-like conditions in some areas. Harvesting of the figs that will be dried will begin on 15 August. The prices for the current crop remain fixed.
Weekly exports up
Turkey exported 731 mt of dried figs and related products last week, which is up on the 666 mt reported in the same week last year. The season's total exports, however, lag behind last year as Turkey has only shipped 62,116 mt overseas so far. The Turkish lira has further depreciated against the US dollar and the euro this week.
