Turkish figs doing well

TURKEY expects a shortage of dried apricots this year as its crop totals just 54 500 tonnes, with sources now expecting prices to stay high throughout 2010. Turkey usually exports around 100 000 tonnes of dried apricots each year and some 15 000 tonnes are consumed domestically.

Meanwhile, Turkey's dried fig crop is developing well despite losses in some areas after sudden rains at the start of June. Growers are now keeping a close eye on development and pollination of the fruit. If there is no rain during the drying period in September, the 2010 crop is expected to satisfy domestic and foreign demand.