Yalova, which is the centre of kiwi production with an annual production of 30 thousand tons, also is the logistics centre of this kiwi thanks to its cold stores established with government support. Turkey has an annual kiwi production of 65-70 thousand tons and Yalova covers the 50 percent of it. Kiwi harvest season is about to end this year. The producers, who are excitedly harvesting the kiwis they produce in the gardens, take advantage of transporting their products to the cold storage near them on the same day. Thanks to cold storages with 65 thousand tons of storage space per year, products sold from the branch can be stored in a short time.
Suat Parildar, the Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry stated that the harvest, which they started with the participation of Bekir Pakdemirli, Agriculture and Forestry Minister on 23 October, still continues. Parildar said:
‘’ This year, our estimated yield is 30 thousand tons. Our producers are also very satisfied with the marketing of their products. Kiwi is currently marketed between ₺6- 6.5 per kilogram.’’
‘’Yalova is the leader province in kiwi production.’’
Highlighting the importance of preserving kiwi after harvest, Parildar continued as follows:
“Our cold storage capacity provided a very serious support for our kiwi. 50 percent grant from the rural development support program was very important. We have provided grant support to almost all warehouses in Yalova. We have supported 42 projects in Yalova with over ₺15 million. We have become a serious logistics centre with cold stores where kiwis are stored. Our cold storage capacity is 65 thousand tons per year and our employees who comply with the standards and do their job well store kiwi in these warehouses. Kiwi means like a 24-carat gold for Yalova.’’
Parildar noted that kiwi production is also made in different regions of Turkey and these producing provinces prefer cold storages in Yalova because of the market situation, he continued:
‘’ Kiwis harvested from Giresun and Rize are also brought to Yalova. Annual kiwi consumption of Turkey is around 120 thousand tons, yet our country only produces 65-70 tons every year. After the harvest that started at the end of October, kiwi is prepared to be put on the market. Kiwi harvested in November is delivered to consumers in warehouses until the end of June, according to the supply and demand balance. In this sense, warehouses are indispensable for kiwi. ‘’
‘’Yalova is Turkey’s commercial centre of kiwi.’’
Arzu Gulbiter, Dundar Cold Storage Operation Manager stated that they have been working on kiwi storage, packaging and trade for 12 years. Explaining that their warehouses have a capacity of 7500 tons, Gulbiter said:
‘’ All our storage rooms have shelved system. We see the benefits of the shelf system for Kiwi storage. We extend the shelf life of kiwi due to the even distribution of air circulation between the shelves. Domestic kiwi production had to end in December due to storage deficiencies 10 years ago. But now we can store kiwis until June and July.’’
Explaining that they received the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for the establishment of the warehouse, Gulbiter continued:
‘’ Our warehouses were completed in three stages. Yalova, is the kiwi trade centre of Turkey. There is a serious production of kiwi in the Black Sea, but kiwis in those regions also come to our warehouses. Our trucks are coming from Giresun and Ordu. Yalove serves to Turkey.’’
Gulbiter also noted that the kiwi harvest period continues, and they expect the harvest to be completed at the end of November.
source: AA / translated by Melisa Karayusufoglu