Following a sudden spate of cold temperatures and unseasonal snowfall in Turkey earlier this month, fears mounted amongst cherry producers that crops could be adversely affected at the delicate blossoming stage . However, Özbek Özler, the owner and sales manager of cherry grower and exporter of Özler Tarim, tells www.freshfruitportal.com about the season still looks solid despite the unexpected cold snap.

"Yes it is true that there was some potential risk to the blossoming of cherry trees and this has partly been our experience, but the production areas are still looking very good and it looks like we are having quite a strong flower blossom,"  Özler says. 

"Reports about the recent cold weather being catastrophic to Turkey’s cherry production have not been the case for us because even with reduced volumes, I think we will get to at least the normal production levels without much problem."

Last year, Özler Tarim’s cherry volumes reached approximately 2,700 metric tons (MT) and this season, even taking into consideration the recent frost that gripped many parts of Turkish cherry growing regions, volumes could be even higher.

"This year we are looking to reach the 3,000MT barrier," Özler adds.

"On April 13, I got pictures of full flower blossom and I think the pollination process should be finished by now and fruit should be starting to show itself a little bit. The last report I have on my desk from one week ago shows good flowering.

"I expect the final full volumes will come around June 1. So even though we had about two days of very cool temperatures, I’m pleased to say that volumes do not seem to be that badly affected."

Historically, Turkey has been a leading cherry supplier in Europe, but the sector’s output is very much dependent on the success of delicate cherry orchards and how producers guard against severe weather conditions that can hamper crops.

With this in mind, chairman of the Union of Agricultural Chambers of Turkey (TZOB) Semsi Bayraktar had previously issued a notice to fruit producers, including cherry growers, warning of the severe frost.

He called for farmers to be vigilant against unseasonal bad weather and to 'apply modern agricultural techniques to protect products', especially fruits such as cherries.

"Our own production regions for cherry are in the city of Nigde, two hours north of Adana and as a company we have been dealing in cherry production for about 13 years now. So we do know a thing or two about production techniques."

Özler Tarim, which also grows citrus and apples, markets cherries in German and Scandinavian markets and to a lesser extent supplies the U.K.

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