Türkiye’s booming tropical fruit industry faces serious issues

Türkiye’s agricultural landscape is witnessing a significant shift with the increased production of tropical fruits.

Mustafa Akdogan, a farmer in Mersin’s Erdemli district, has found success with passiflora, also known as passion fruit or “ask meyvesi” (love fruit).

Akdogan’s journey began four years ago when he moved from Hatay to Mersin. With the support of his children, he established a 12-acre experimental garden featuring tropical fruits.

Two years ago, Akdogan planted passion fruit seedlings on an 8-acre section of his land. The initial trial was promising, leading to an expansion of the cultivation area. Today, Akdogan harvests the fruit daily and sells it for ₺100 to ₺125 (approximately $3 to $3.8) per kilogram.

“We are satisfied with the sales,” he said while speaking to Ihlas News Agency. Customers often visit his garden to pick the fruits themselves, enjoying the fresh harvest and the experience.

Betul Ozyaka, an expatriate originally from Adana, expressed her love for the fruit, calling it “very valuable.” Another customer, Umit Yildiz, mentioned the fruit’s health benefits and the joy of picking it directly from the garden.

Which tropical fruits are produced in Türkiye?

The success of passion fruit in Türkiye is part of a larger trend in the country’s agricultural sector. Türkiye has increasingly diversified its fruit production to include a wide range of tropical and subtropical fruits.

Regions like Antalya, Mersin, and Alanya have become hubs for growing fruits such as avocados, mangoes, dragon fruit (pitaya), guava, and papaya. These fruits thrive in the Mediterranean climate, which provides the necessary conditions for their growth.

In Alanya, avocado production has soared, with the area dedicated to avocado farming expanding from 250 acres 12 years ago to 16,500 acres today. Alanya Avocado Producers Association President Hilmi Sevilgen noted, “We didn’t know much about avocados initially, but now we can’t keep up with the demand.”

The region’s avocado harvest reached 70 million to 80 million units last year, with a target of 100 million units this year.

Türkiye also exports significant quantities of mangoes, dragon fruit, and guava. These fruits are popular not only in the domestic market but also internationally.

The increase in tropical fruit production has boosted Türkiye’s agricultural exports, contributing to the country’s economic growth.

Environmental concerns raised by production of tropical fruits

However, the booming production of tropical fruits in Türkiye is not without its challenges. The increase in cultivation, particularly in regions like Antalya and Mersin, has raised concerns about water usage.

These fruits require substantial amounts of water, which is problematic given Türkiye’s ongoing drought and water conservation efforts.

Dr. Erol Kesici, a scientific advisor at the Turkish Nature Conservation Society (TTKD), criticized the expansion of tropical fruit cultivation.

He emphasized that the intensive water needs of crops like mango and avocado are depleting underground water resources. “These tropical plants are not suitable for our climate and consume too much water. Continued production is not sustainable,” Dr. Kesici warned.

Türkiye sees export growth in tropical fruits

Despite these environmental concerns, Türkiye’s tropical fruit export market is growing. The country’s fruit juice sector is a significant contributor to this growth.

According to the Aegean Exporters’ Association, fruit juice exports reached $472 million last year, with a target of $500 million for 2024 and $1 billion by 2028.

The United States is the largest market for Turkish fruit juice, followed by the Netherlands and Italy.

The rise in tropical fruit production in Türkiye presents both opportunities and challenges. While farmers like Mustafa Akdogan benefit from high-value crops, the environmental impact of intensive water usage cannot be ignored.

Sustainable farming practices and careful management of water resources will be crucial as Türkiye navigates this growing sector.