The pomegranate season begins in Turkey.

 

Following the proclamation of the pomegranate as a super fruit with antioxidant properties, many pomegranate plantations have developed in recent years in Turkey with increasingly efficient techniques and new varieties.

 

65% of the pomegranates produced in Turkey are in the region of Mersin in south-eastern Turkey. 250,000 tonnes are expected to be harvested this year. Turkey is the world's second largest producer behind Iran.

 

The president of the Tarsus Chamber of Agriculture said that due to bad weather, the harvest would be lower. He adds that the Hicaz pomegranate variety was until now the most commonly planted varietyby growers, but new varieties that are more precocious and longer-lasting are spreading rapidly. The Turkish pomegranates are of good quality, with a good yield and meet the conditions of the international markets.