In Malatya, which meets 90 percent of Turkey's dried apricot production and 67 percent of the world's dried apricot production, 2019 apricot harvest was announced at a meeting. At the meeting held under the auspices of Malatya Governor Aydın Baruş, an estimated 391 thousand 792 tons of fresh apricot production in 2019 and an estimated 87 thousand 642 tons of dried apricot production were announced.
The estimated 2019 apricot harvest of Malatya, known as the 'world apricot capital', was announced at a meeting held at the Malatya Commodity Exchange under the chairmanship of Malatya Governor Aydın Baruş.
Governor Baruş announced the estimated apricot harvest for 2019 with the participation of Malatya Metropolitan Municipality, Malatya Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Malatya Apricot Research Station Directorate, Turgut Özal University, Malatya TSO, Malatya Chamber of Agriculture, Aegean Exporters Union, Malatya Commodity Exchange.
Noting that dried apricots have an important place in Malatya's economy, Baruş said, "It is an important agricultural product that provides a very important income to our province, both in terms of the economic income our farmers receive during the production phase and the sale of a large part of it through export in the commercial part."
Noting that the agricultural area in Malatya is 425 thousand 450 hectares, Baruş said: “Our province corresponds to 34 percent of its surface area. 80 thousand 820 hectares of 425 thousand 450 hectares are recorded in our records as the area where apricot trees are planted. This corresponds to 19 percent of the agricultural area. Therefore, apricot is a very important agricultural product for our province.”
Stating that Malatya also has an important place in the production of dried apricots, Baruş said, “About 90 percent of Turkey's dried apricot production is met by Malatya. About 67 percent of the world's dried apricot production is met by our province. Therefore, we are an unrivaled province in the field of dried apricots not only in Turkey but also in the world. When we look at the amount of dried apricots exported from Turkey, it is 93 thousand 692 tons according to 2018 figures. 90 percent of this is met from Malatya. Our dried apricot exports are 253 million 901 thousand dollars in 2018.
Reminding that the number of apricot trees in Malatya 40 years ago was approximately 893 thousand, this figure increased to 5 million 643 thousand in 2000, 6 million 912 thousand in 2010, 7 million 678 thousand in 2017, and 7 million 800 thousand according to the determinations made as of today. recorded rise.
Referring to the estimated apricot harvest for 2019, Baruş said: “We estimate that the fresh apricot production will be 391 thousand 792 tons. We estimate that the amount of apricot to be consumed as fresh is 41 thousand 122 tons, and after this is deducted, it will be around 350 thousand 570 tons for drying. We foresee that 87 thousand 642 tons of dried apricots will be obtained from this 350 thousand tons of fresh apricots. Partial damage occurred on 23-24 March in the lowland regions where apricots are grown intensively, and on 21-22 April in the high regions, due to snowfall and subsequent cold, as well as frost. Quality losses occurred due to local hail precipitation between 9 and 14 April. It has been observed that fertilization problem in flowers, monilia disease in trees, and freckle disease in fruits, although the density varies from place to place, are effective in many regions, especially in the apricot flower and fruit period, due to long-term rainfall. These factors were taken into account in the estimations.”
Noting that Malatya apricot received the European Union Geographical Indication Registration Certificate in 2017, Baruş said, “April is the third product to receive a Geographical Indication Registration Certificate from the European Union, after Gaziantep baklava and Aydın figs. Logos symbolizing the geographical sign were produced. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry will take the necessary initiatives to use them in export transactions and even in products sold within the country.
Baruş, a journalist said, "There hasn't been an apricot festival in Malatya for a long time. Will there be a study about the festival?' To the question, "I think that the apricot festival constitutes an important occasion for the promotion of apricots. Not only apricots, but also gastronomy culture is very rich in Malatya. Maybe better studies can be done about the use of apricot in gastronomic cuisine. At this point, our evaluations continue. It will definitely be announced in the coming period. Of course, the main organizers of these local organizations, fairs and festivals are local governments. As the governorship, we are ready to provide all kinds of support.”
When asked by another journalist, "The location of Şire Pazarı is not very convenient, do you plan to move it to another place?", Governor Baruş said, "Previously, our metropolitan mayor had made statements for some regulations. He made statements on the point that alternative studies were carried out. I find it very inadequate. It should be done in more sanitary and adequate conditions at the point of the apricot trade that our merchants and businessmen have done there. As a result of the benefit of our industrialists and producers within the scope of the Short Development Support Projects, we have acquired a very important storage stock. Perhaps the storage and trade of apricots may change in the coming period. At this point, we will also make the necessary contribution to the apricot trade in more positive conditions by evaluating different opinions and doing the necessary work with our metropolitan municipality.
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