Turkish tomato production and exports both increased through the first four months of the year after favourable weather conditions at the beginning of the season ensured high yields, according to a new update from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Total yearly production is expected to hit 13.7m tonnes, an increase of 25 per cent on 2008, despite cold weather during the winter months that negatively affected the quality of the produce.
The estimated volume means that the country retains its position as the third-largest tomato-producing nation in the world, the USDA said.
Antalya remains the top tomato production region in the country, growing approximately 17 per cent of all produce, with Izmir, Canakkale and Mersin all significant producers of fresh tomatoes.
For the January-April period this year, exports jumped 19 per cent on a year-on-year basis to 205,890 tonnes, with Russia (52 per cent), Romania and Bulgaria the top destinations once more.
However, despite an overall increase, exports to Russia specifically dropped 10 per cent during the first four months of the year as a result of increased competition from Spain and Morocco and a fall in demand resulting from the global economic crisis.
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