In the first 5 months of the new export season from Malatya, where 85% of the world’s dried apricot needs are met, a revenue of $196 million 633 thousand was obtained with the sale of 46 thousand 394 tons of dried apricots. Malatya Commodity Exchange Chairman Ramazan Ozcan said, “When we look at the export periods, 2021 is the shining period of the last 5 years. We have indeed provided a significant amount of exports and income to both the country’s economy and Malatya’s economy.”
After “Antep baklava” and “Aydin fig”, Turkey’s third product with geographical indication registration in the European Union (EU), Malatya apricot is the most important source of income for the people living in the city.
According to the information compiled by AA correspondent from Malatya Commodity Exchange data, there was an increase in exports in the first 5 months of the new export season, which started on 1 August. In the period covering August, September, October, November and December of 2021, a revenue of $196 million 633 thousand was obtained in return for 46 thousand 394 tons of dried apricot exports.
In the new export season, the most exports were made to the USA with 5 thousand 940 tons and $27 million 719 thousand. followed by France with 3,871 tons and $18 million 574 thousand, Germany with 3 thousand 213 tons and $16 million 235 thousand, Brazil with 1978 tons and $9 million 178 thousand, and Australia with 2 thousand 34 tons and $9 million 154 thousand.
THE BRIGHTEST PERIOD OF THE LAST 5 YEARS
In the new season, exports of 46 thousand 394 tons and revenue of $196 million 633 thousand in the period of 1 August-31 December 2021 were recorded as the highest figure of the last 5 years.
In August, September, October, November and December of 2017, an income of $134 million 541 thousand was obtained against 51 thousand 528 tons of exports, In 2018, $126 million 498 thousand were recorded for 48 thousand 998 tons, $128 million 119 thousand for 49 thousand 803 tons in 2019, $140 million 347 thousand for 43 thousand 312 tons in 2020.
“WE ARE PROGRESSING TO THE TARGET WITH CONFIDENT STEPS”
Malatya Commodity Exchange Chairman Ramazan Ozcan told Anadolu Agency (AA) that apricots are of great importance for Malatya.
Ozcan stated that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s instructions to invest in dried apricots, the implementation of licensed warehousing and the decision of TMO to intervene in the product are important for the manufacturer, and thus a stable period in exports has begun.
Emphasizing that the point reached in exports is very important, Ozcan said, “We set out with the target of 100 thousand tons of exports and $500 million of income. We continue on our way towards this goal with sure steps. We reached the target of $196 million in 5 months. Hopefully, we will continue on our way towards this goal with confident steps in the next 6 months.”
“USA IS STILL OUR MOST IMPORTANT BUYER”
Expressing that the work on export markets continues at full speed, Ozcan said:
“Despite the heavy damage and wound caused by Covid-19, especially in the food sector, Malatya apricots both preserved the amount and increased their export revenues. The USA is still one of our most important buyers. We export an average of 15 thousand tons of dried apricots annually. Europe is still a valuable market for us. Germany, France and Italy are among our most important buyers, but China was a very valuable market for us. Because China is the most important country to which you export natural products. There was a partial decline in our exports to China due to Covid-19, but we achieved this again in 2021. We exported close to 2,500 tons in 5 months. We plan to close the export to China with 5 thousand tons in the season.”
Source: Sabah / Translated by Irem Yildiz