Cold weather and frost in the Aegean region in March and April has led to the loss of 40 percent in the grape yield. Last season, 328,000 tons of seedless grapes were harvested, this season it is expected to drop to 196,000 tons.
The yield estimates are the result of studies carried out by the relevant bodies; providing information about the estimation results IMA Board Member Ilhan Zincircioglu announced that the seedless grape harvest is expected to decrease by 40% in the 2015-2016 season.
Zincircioglu states that the yield estimates are the result of studies between 20 July and 5 August 2015, "As of August 1, 240,000 tons of raisins were exported to a monetary value of €392 million. The average export price is €1.63/ kg. In the 2015-2016 season, if normal weather conditions continue, 196,109 tons of seedless grapes are expected to be harvested from the 1,408,000 hectares of vineyards in the area, beginning in mid-August. However, due to climatic problems during production, in 10-15 days time a second small delegation will visit the troubled regions to assess the final yield results."
Raisins make a serious contribution to the region’s development
Raisins are a source of livelihood for thousands of families in Izmir, Manisa and Denizli voices Zincircioglu and they also provide added value support to the development of the regional economy. Indispensable for the region, grapes are a strategic product; Zincircioglu stresses that the produce is an important commodity that has a say in the global market, “85% of raisins are exported. Raisins on the domestic market are also worth close to half a billion Euro. I wish to raise the amount of our export and foreign exchange earnings to a higher level,” he said.
Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters' Association President Birol Celebi also draws attention to the balance of supply and demand and urges producers to pay attention to speculation in the sector, which he considers responsible for prices falling last year. According to the information provided by Celebi, after the frost that occurred in March and April the price of grapes was €3.20/kg, now the price is €4.56.
Lifting the embargo against Iran poses a threat to the sector
The lifting of the embargo on Iran will pose a serious threat in terms of the dried fruit industry, Celebi said, "Countries such as Egypt and Iran, will be serious contenders for our agricultural products in the future. We need to maintain our quality." Source - http://www.freshplaza.com
