Changes In Fruit Production And Imports From Turkey To European Union Countries

Turkey is a key partner of the European Union and a candidate country for EU accession. It is also one of the largest agricultural producers in the world. The aim of our study was to assess the volume and changes in the fruit production potential in Turkey and to determine the structure and changes in the imports of selected fruits from Turkey to the EU member-states. Our study covered a period of 2012-2023, which was divided into three four-year subperiods. The data on the acreage of fruit plantations, harvests, and fruit yields in Turkey came from the FAOSTAT database. The data on selected fruit imports from Turkey to the EU came from the Eurostat database. The fruit production potential in Turkey was assessed by examining changes in the acreage of plantations and yield of selected fruit species in the aforementioned subperiods. A single-base index and a chain index were used to examine the changes. During the period under analysis, there was a noticeable increase in the productivity of apple and cherry orchards, as well as banana and date plantations. The increased productivity of the main fruit species (apples and cherries) and relatively small changes in their plantation area, caused an increase in their production in Turkey. During the period under analysis, the imports of fruit (CN08) from Turkey to the EU increased by 21%. Citrus fruits, nuts, grapes, stone fruits, melons, watermelons, and berries predominated in the import structure. If Turkey joined the EU, the development of apple production in this country and a significant increase in the volume of apples harvested might lead to overproduction of these fruits and their lower prices in the enlarged EU.