Vine Fruits and Tree Fruits Update 01.03.24
Vine Fruits
Raw Material Quantity
A specialised group comprising academics, financial institutions and industry representatives conducted the authoritative crop assessment. While previously the Ministry of Agriculture aimed to manage this process, they opted not to disclose the anticipated yield for the 2023 harvest. As per TUIK data, adverse weather conditions significantly impacted several crops in 2023, such as Raisins, Apricots, Figs, Hazelnuts, Sugar Beet Seeds, Cotton and Olives.
2023 Crop Exports
As of the fourth week of February 2024, the export figures for the 2023 crop have reached 126,000 metric tons, marking a slight 3% decline compared to the same period last year. However, the average unit price has experienced a significant upturn, reaching $2,107 per metric ton, a notable increase from the previous season's $1,683 per metric ton.
The export destinations highlight Turkey's trade landscape, with the top ten countries absorbing 84% of the total volume. Leading the pack is the UK with 29,000 metric tons, followed by the Netherlands with 17,000 metric tons, Germany with 12,500 metric tons, Italy with 10,600 metric tons, and Australia with 8,600 metric tons. Noteworthy shifts in volume are observed compared to the 2022 season, notably, Australia experienced a remarkable 101% increase, while the Netherlands saw a modest 3% uptick. Conversely, the UK witnessed an 8% decrease, Germany's volume declined by 17%, and Italy experienced a 2% reduction.
Price Levels and Market
Regarding both conventional and organic raw materials, growers are steadfastly retaining their produce as prices steadily escalate, driven by heightened local demand during the month of Ramadan. This market trend is anticipated to persist until mid-April, following the conclusion of Ramadan. Growers may opt to adopt a cautious approach, awaiting the impact of potential frost risks on their crops until the end of April. As for the upcoming crop, it's premature to provide definitive insights as variables such as weather conditions and exchange rates significantly influence the supply dynamics. Subsequent months are expected to offer more clarity and comprehensive information.
From The Vineyards
The vineyards are still in the sleeping stage. The awakening is expected during the second or third week of March. The awakening is expected during the second or third week of March. The pruning process has already been completed. At this stage, the tillage operations carried on to prevent harmful weeds and the growers were spraying for the winter period. The weather conditions including temperatures progressed above the seasonal normal. So far, there have been no cold weather issues such as frost, hail etc like was experienced in previous years.
Currently, the vineyards remain dormant, with anticipation for their awakening around the second or third week of March. Pruning activities have already concluded, while tillage operations persist to mitigate weed growth, accompanied by growers' winter spraying efforts. Favourable weather conditions, including temperatures above seasonal norms, have been observed, mitigating concerns regarding cold weather adversities like frost or hail, unlike past years' experiences.
Tree Fruits
Apricots
By the fourth week of February 2024, the export volume of the 2023 crop tallied at 44,200 metric tons, registering a decrease of 20.8% compared to the 2022 crop's 53,400 metric tons within the same timeframe. However, the unit average export price has seen a notable surge to $6,227 per metric ton, marking a 12.6% increase from last year's $5,527 per metric ton.
With low volumes of both natural and organic apricots, consumers face limited choices between the two types. Meanwhile, the availability issue persists for smaller sizes of sulphured apricots. Despite relative stability during Christmas, market conditions have facilitated another upward trend.
Figs
The export volume of the 2023 crop amounted to 39,200 metric tons by the fourth week of February 2024, a decrease of 6.3% compared to the 41,700 metric tons exported during the same period for the 2022 crop. Concurrently, the unit average export price has risen to $5,114 per metric ton, marking a substantial 26.5% increase from the previous crop's level of $4,040 per metric ton.
The market faces challenges due to limited volume, failing to meet the growing demand. Additionally, alongside restricted choices in sizes, quality issues further disrupt market dynamics. Notably, raw material prices for dicing and pasting have surged by more than threefold.
via Pagmat