ALMOND PRODUCTION IN TURKEY: GENERAL ANALYSIS OF RECENT YEARS CHANGES

Abstract

Almond is a kind of hard-shelled tree that grows in arid and hot summers and mild and rainywinters. It is an important agricultural product that has low soil selectivity and can grow evenin barren land. Almond is a good source of vitamins and minerals in human health and is widelyused in confectionery, chocolate, pastry consumption, as well as almond oil in cosmetics andpharmaceutical industry. Turkey is ranked eighth in the world almond production. Turkey isboth importers and exporter in almond production. The aim of this research to evaluate the general analysis of the changes that occur in almond production areas, production amounts,yields, import, export, price, and make suggestions based on for the years of 1988 and 2018 inTurkey. In this context, TUIK data, related sector reports and other studies were utilized. InTurkey, the number of almond trees in the researched period about 3 times, and the amount ofproduction 2.4 times have been increased. Despite the both increasing in number almond treesand volume of production, at same time the amount of consumption is increased and Turkey isstill importer. While the average share of non-fruit trees in total trees was 15% in 1988, itincreased to 39% in 2018 and the average of the researched period is around 24%. These ratiosshow that the cultivation areas are becoming widespread and but for the foreign trade deficit, itis still not sufficient. Average yield per fruiting tree is 12.65 kg. While the sales price was 1.49TL/kg in 1988, it is increased to 11.49 TL/kg in 2018. Prices is increased by 771% during thisperiod. The average sales price of the research period is calculated as 5 TL/kg. The trendanalysis shows that the increase in almond production areas, production amount, consumption,import and prices will continue. Additional public policies and support are needed to expandalmond cultivation areas. This research provides useful data to decision makers and agriculturalpolicy makers.