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TURKIYE AGRICULTURE
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Edible Nuts and Dried Fruits
Turkish edible nuts and dried fruits production is considerably high and
dominates the world markets in this respect. Among edible nuts and dried fruits,
hazelnut, pistachios, raisins, dried apricots and dried figs are of significant
importance for Turkish agricultural export. Due to this importance, they are
called traditional agricultural export items of Turkey. Historical documents
reveal that hazelnut have been grown along the Black Sea Coast in northern
Turkey since 300 BC with its prominent position among hazelnut producing
countries, Turkey leads the field.
Fig cultivation is believed to belong to the Mediterranean basin, especially to
Anatolia. Accordingly, local fig species (Ficus carica) derived its botanical
name from the historical district, Caira, in the western part of Turkey.
Producing 50-55% of the world’s total dried fig production, Turkey also has a
share of 55% in the total world exports of dried figs.
There are 1200 different types of grapes in Turkey and among these varieties,
seedless "Yuvarlak and Sultani" are the main varieties used for raisin. Their
production is considerably high and together with raisins, dried apricots also
dominate the world markets.
Livestock
Turkey traditionally has been an important supplier of live sheep as well as
lamb and mutton to the Middle East. Increasing domestic demand from a rapidly
growing population, combined with the production problems have led to a
significant decline in exports. However, the Turkish Government intends to
develop Turkey’s livestock through improving animal stocks, establishing
breeding enterprises, increasing fodder crop production, raising the income
levels of livestock producers, and applying a contract-farming model.
Sheep, the common goat, the Angora goat whose homeland is Turkey and cattle
respectively constitute 60%, 17%, 3% and 18% of the existing livestock number in
Turkey. The figures above clearly elucidate that sheep constitute the most
significant livestock husbandry in Turkey. Climate and geography also have an
important bearing on the location and type of animal husbandry carried out in
the country. Intensive animal husbandry is carried out in Western Anatolia and
Thrace Regions. Over the past decade, the government has initiated measures to
raise the productivity of its livestock sector. Some of these measures taken are
genetic improvement of meat and dairy herds through dairy cattle and bull semen
imports and improvement of veterinary services. Special emphasis has been placed
in developing animal husbandry in the eastern and southern Anatolia regions and
expanding fodder crop production.
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