Turkiye 16/11/2022

Huge investment in berries made in Turkey

 

Turgut Aysan, Chairman of Safir Berry, was one of the speakers at the Morocco Berry Conference in Agadir. Together with the family business already involved in the production and marketing of cherries and figs, he made a huge investment to develop blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry production in Turkey.

Cherry key grower expands in berries

In Turkey, the family is recognized as a grower, packer, and exporter of cherries and figs for already 40 years. With the establishment of Safir Berry in 2020, they now produce blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry plants and fruits on 45 hectares of farms in Bursa, Manisa, and Antalya.

3 production regions to obtain a 7 months window

Orchards are organized following the latest techniques: under plastic tunnels or hail/rain net systems and in the open air. Orchards are located in 3 different regions under different climatic conditions:  Bursa, Antalya, and Manisa (Izmir area).

Tugut Aysan underlines: «With this production method we have achieved to extend the harvest time up to 7-8 months, so we can supply the market longer and contribute to the increase of blueberry consumption in Turkey and exports from Turkey.»

Objective: 200 hectares and 650 tons in 4 years

Today the production area reaches 45 hectares, including Safir Berry’s own farms and contracted farmers, saplings production capacity is 500.000, and berries production reach 150 tons after 1 year only. 5 years later, in 2026, these orchards will produce 800 to 900 tons per season. 

To help sustainability, solar systems have been chosen to reduce carbon footprint.

Turgut proudly declares: «Our objective is to reach 200 hectares cultivated with berries to help Turkey become one of the leading countries in the sector.»