Turkish nectarine production and market trends

The nectarine harvest in Turkey has seen varying regional outcomes and market fluctuations. In Çanakkale, the harvest of the EU-registered ‘Bayramiç beyazı’ variety began with an expected yield of 10,000 tons. This represents a 50 percent decrease from the annual average due to spring rains affecting flowering, though prices remained relatively stable between 50 and 60 Turkish Liras per kilogram.

By September, market conditions in Bursa shifted significantly. Following a period of heavy supply in July and August that caused prices to plummet, nectarine prices in the Gürsu district tripled, rising from 10 lira to between 30 and 40 lira per kilogram. This recovery was driven by the depletion of mid-season stocks and the arrival of late-season varieties, which are highly valued for their ability to be stored in cold storage for export to markets including Russia, Azerbaijan, the Balkans, and Central Asia.

Nationally, Turkey’s nectarine production is projected to reach 414,000 tons this year, a 107 percent increase. Despite improved prices, local producers noted that earnings largely only cover the increased costs of labor and agricultural inputs.