Türkiye’s stone fruit exports hit by sharp production losses

Türkiye’s stone fruit sector is facing a major contraction after spring frosts, drought, hail and excessive rainfall, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Fresh Peaches and Cherries: World Markets and Trade report.

Peach and nectarine output falls 45%

Fresh peach and nectarine production is forecast to drop 45% year on year to 649,000 tonnes in 2025/26.

Exports are expected to fall by the same rate to 145,000 tonnes. The decline would move Türkiye from the world’s largest peach and nectarine exporter in 2024/25 to second place.

Cherry production faces an even steeper reduction. Output is forecast at 400,000 tonnes, down almost 60%, while exports are projected to plunge 85% to only 10,000 tonnes.

Import markets feel the shortage

Russia, the EU and Iraq are among Türkiye’s main stone fruit destinations, meaning the lower crop is also affecting import availability in key markets.

EU cherry imports are forecast to fall 60%, with Türkiye historically supplying around three-quarters of the bloc’s imported cherries.

Russia has more room to compensate for lower Turkish availability through suppliers including Uzbekistan, Iran and Azerbaijan.

Chile helps offset global cherry decline

Global fresh cherry production is forecast to fall by more than 10% to 4.6 million tonnes, marking the first decline in six years.

International trade is expected to hold up better than production, supported mainly by Chile. Chilean cherry exports are forecast to rise nearly 10% to a record 670,000 tonnes, helping offset part of Türkiye’s decline.

China’s cherry imports are also expected to reach a record 600,000 tonnes.

source and photo: apps.fas.usda.gov