Niğde cherries exported to Europe and Dubai

Cherries grown in the Ulukışla district of Niğde, Turkey, are being exported to international markets, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Dubai. Due to the high altitude of 1,745 meters, the significant temperature fluctuations between day and night provide the fruit with a unique color, taste, and aroma. These cherries are among the last to be harvested in Turkey.

To maintain freshness, the harvested fruit is transported immediately to cold storage facilities in Altunhisar to preserve the cold chain. Producer Yüksel Orhan noted that while the quality of Turkish cherries is high, they face pricing competition from rivals like Chile. While Chilean cherries sell for between 7 and 15 USD per kilogram, Turkish cherries are exported to Europe at approximately 3 to 4.5 EUR per kilogram.