Its homeland includes the Southern Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan, Southern Asia, Western Asia, the regions between Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Pomegranate; It is grown in many countries of the world, especially in Afghanistan, Morocco, Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Cyprus, Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, India, USA, China, Spain, Israel, Italy and Thailand.
Pomegranate plant can easily adapt to various climatic and soil conditions, it is very easy to reproduce, it has advantages such as high yield per unit area and early fruiting. There has been a significant increase in the amount of pomegranate production with the cultivation of
Although the cultivation of the pomegranate plant in Turkey dates back a long way, its development in the fruit sector has gained importance since the 2000s.
Pomegranate is cultivated along the southern coasts of Turkey, mainly in Antalya and mostly in Muğla, Mersin, Adana and Denizli. However, due to its high adaptability to environmental conditions and not being very selective in terms of soil type, a serious improvement has been observed in its distribution area in recent years.
There is no statistical information in the FAO records regarding the pomegranate production values of the world countries. India's pomegranate production value in 2015 is 1.789.310 tons, and India ranks first in the world with this production amount. In terms of pomegranate production value of the world countries, India is followed by Iran with 1,000,000 tons of production and China with 800,000 tons of production. Turkey, on the other hand, ranks 4th among the world countries with a production of 446,000 tons (TUIK, 2016) according to 2016 data.
Pomegranate; It is known as the characteristic plant of the Mediterranean climate in our country and is grown in almost every region. It has found the most common habitat in areas up to 1000 m altitude from the sea coast in the Aegean and Southeastern Anatolia regions, especially in the Mediterranean Region.
People mostly consume pomegranate fresh. In addition to this, it can be used in various industrial branches as well as being used as a refreshing additive in the production of drugs and dyes, pomegranate molasses and pomegranate syrup, fruit juice and canned, vinegar, citric acid, animal feed, vegetable oil production from seeds, and various beverages.
Pomegranate; It is a fruit rich in vitamin C, iron and potassium. The fruits are classified into three groups as sweet, sour and sour. In addition to being used as fresh or fruit juice, tannin, pectin, vinegar, citric acid, dye and ink raw materials, oil, animal feed and various pharmaceutical raw materials are obtained from its various parts.
It has a wide range of uses for fresh fruit, fresh fruit juice, concentrated fruit juice, grain (frozen or fresh), jam, flavoring for ice cream and confectionery, products such as tea, pomegranate molasses, pomegranate syrup, pharmaceutical and medical uses, paint and decoration. The global demand for pomegranate fruit, which is one of the most important fruits, has increased since the 2000s and this increase has doubled every three years and exceeded the global supply.
Pomegranate is a product grown in many regions of our country, especially in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions. Antalya is the province with the highest pomegranate production exceeding five hundred thousand tons. About ¼ of the pomegranate produced in our country is produced in this province. According to 2018 data, Antalya is followed by Muğla with a 16% share and Mersin with a 15% share.
Pomegranate production is carried out on an area of approximately 300 thousand decares in Turkey. 19% of the production areas are in Antalya.
The number of fruit-bearing pomegranate trees is more than 13 million, and according to TUIK data, there are 2.6 million non-fruiting pomegranate trees.
The most known (popular) variety in the international pomegranate trade is Wonderful. It is followed by Mollar de Elche, Hicaznar and Bhagwa. With the increasing popularity of pomegranates, production areas are increasing all over the world.
European countries with a coast on the Mediterranean are important pomegranate producers. Other European countries, whether they have a coast on the Mediterranean or not, are important pomegranate importers, and these countries import a significant amount of pomegranate every year. In the European Union, the average monthly sales price of pomegranates varies between 1.40 – 4.54 € / kg . They stated that it increased to 4.54 € / kg . According to the news on https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9143157/overview-global-pomegranate-market , the important pomegranate producing countries in the world; Turkey, Tunisia, Iran, India, China, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, USA, Australia, Italy, Spain, Greece, Afghanistan and the most important importing countries are Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and England.
India is the world's largest pomegranate producer. Moreover, India produces pomegranate products almost all year round. However, it realizes only 7% of the total world exports. Among the most important markets to which India exports pomegranates, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Netherlands, England, Saudi Arabia and Russia are the leading countries. Peak production in India is in the period of December-March, and pomegranate production lasts until April-June. Thus, from February to June, India can export pomegranates to Europe without competing or competing with Spain. According to the article titled “ Overview Global Pomegranate Market ” on the website www.frooutonea.com , there was a significant decrease in pomegranate production areas in the USA in 2015 and 2016 due to the shortage of irrigation water. About 75% of the pomegranate production in America is the Wonderful variety. Although pomegranate fruit and juice are in high demand in the USA, 40% of the pomegranates produced are exported to South Korea, Canada, Taiwan, Japan, Australia and Brazil.
Due to its geographical location advantage, Israel fills the pomegranate gap in the market by exporting pomegranates to the European market before Turkey and Spain. Israel exports Wonderful pomegranate variety to Europe in August and is earning quite a good income due to the market gap.
Each 3.5 kg of Wonderful pomegranate variety that Israel exports to Europe is sold for 5 Euros in the European market.
The most important export varieties of Egypt, a North African country, are Wonderful and Baladi. The Wonderful season starts in mid-September and ends in late October and early November. Egyptian exporters say that the flavor of Baladi variety is better than Wonderful variety; they state that this Baladi variety finds buyers in the European market at a lower price. Sweetcorn; It exports pomegranates to Seychelles, Maldives, Mauritius, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Russia.
Spanish producers have started to switch from Smith and Acco to Wonderful and Mollar varieties in pomegranate production. Spaniards consume more than 30% of the pomegranates they produce themselves. Pomegranate growing areas are increasing in Valencia and Alicante states, which do not have pomegranate production areas. The most important variety planted in these states is Mollar. While the Spaniards used to make 30% of their pomegranate exports to Russia, this market was closed due to the embargo. Exporters have turned to markets in the Far East, for example Singapore and Indonesia, as well as Middle Eastern markets. Exporters also see China as a potential market. in Europe; They also export to countries such as England, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany and Italy.
The pomegranate season in Italy starts around September 10 and lasts until the end of October. The most important pomegranate varieties are Acco and Wonderful. Its biggest rivals are Spain and Turkey. Italians; they state that the appearance of their pomegranates is better, redder and more attractive than Turkish and Spanish pomegranates.
Pomegranate export prices from Turkey, Egypt, Italy and Spain to other European countries range from 1.50 Euros to 1.80 Euros per kilogram. Pomegranate export prices go up to 2.50 Euros per kilogram at the beginning of the year and in the following months. Belgium; It imports pomegranates from Spain, Turkey, Israel, Iran, Egypt, India, South Africa, Peru, Chile and the USA. In the last five years, Belgium's pomegranate import has doubled. The majority of pomegranates sold in Belgian markets are of the Wonderful variety. This variety has been sold on the Belgian market for the last ten years. Other varieties include Pom, Mollar, Baghwa, Hershkovitz, Acco, Hicaznar and Emek.
Pomegranate fruits are packed in cardboard or wooden boxes of 5 or 10 kg. Box sizes and types vary depending on the markets they are sold in. United Arab Emirates and Malaysia mostly consume large size pomegranates (24-30 fruits in 10 kg boxes). In small quantities, there are demands for 40-50 fruit in 10 kg boxes. Spaniards usually consume large pomegranates, they demand large size pomegranates, usually in 5 or 10 kg boxes, with sawdust and arranged in a single layer. England generally consumes medium and small pomegranates (20 and 25 fruits in 5 kg boxes). Sweden, Finland, Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy consume slightly larger pomegranates (10-12-15 fruits in a 5 kg cardboard box). The dimensions of the 10 kg wooden box used in pomegranate export are 30x50x18 cm or 40x36x8 cm and the 5 kg wooden box is 30x50x11 cm or 40x36x11 cm. The dimensions of 10 kg cardboard boxes, which are used more frequently in exports in recent years, are 30x50x18 cm or 60x40x11 cm, and the dimensions of 5 kg cardboard boxes are 30x50x11 cm. While the number of fruits in 5 kg boxes used in the pomegranate trade is 10-12-15-20-25-30, the number of fruits in 10 kg boxes varies between 20-24-30-40-50-60.
Turkey is one of the most important pomegranate exporting countries in the world. There are 37 companies exporting pomegranate in Turkey. According to the statistical data of Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Turkey exported 180,000 tons of pomegranate in 2016 (between January and December) and earned 104 million dollars from this sale, while in the same period in 2017, 164,000 tons of pomegranate exports, corresponding to a revenue of 97 million dollars . has achieved. The distribution of pomegranate exports made by our country between January and December 2017 by countries is given in the table below.
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While our country generated an income of 11,135,759 dollars from Iraq, to which it exported 48,061 tons of pomegranates, between January and December 2017, it earned 13,671,658 dollars from Germany, to which it exported 13,469 tons of pomegranates. Export figures show that the quality of pomegranates exported to Iraq is lower, while the quality of pomegranates exported to Germany is higher.
Russia is one of Turkey's most important pomegranate buyers. Russia makes most of its imports from Azerbaijan, Turkey and Spain. While Turkey's place in Russian pomegranate import was 19.4% in 2012, Azerbaijan's share was 42.2% and Spain's share was 14.3% in the same year. While Turkey sold 37,756 tons of pomegranates to Russia at a price of $1,514 per ton in 2012, it sold 53,368 tons of pomegranate at a price of $1,610 per ton in 2013. In the same year, Turkey's market share among the countries from which Russia imports pomegranate rose to 27.9%.
According to the foreign trade data obtained from Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the price of pomegranate exported to Iraq is $231 per ton, while the ton price of pomegranate sold to Germany is $1015.
The International Standards for Fruits and Vegetables was published in 1962 by the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) in order to facilitate the common interpretation of the standards in force for various internationally traded fruits and vegetables. The booklet containing the standard information about Nar can be downloaded from the web address. The pomegranate standard published by the OECD, also; It is recommended as a reference by the International Food Standard "Codex Alimentarius" published by FAO. It can be downloaded from the "Pomegranate Standard" web address located on the FAO web page with the reference number CODEX STAN310-2013.
In the export of pomegranate, in line with the demands from the countries, the relevant company or firm is given an Extra Class, I. Class or II. Grade pomegranate is exported. Extra grade pomegranates must be of superior quality.
It should have characteristics unique to the variety . The product must be free from other defects, with the exception of very slight superficial imperfections that do not affect the general appearance of the product, its quality, quality of storage and presentation in the package. The pomegranates placed in the packaging should not have any damage or damage that affects the integrity of the product. Slight rupture or breakage is allowed, provided that it is not at a very significant level, in the part of the fruit called the crown.
The fruits should be examined by cutting and the fruits with damage due to Alternaria in the fruit should be discarded. Rotten or spoiled fruit unsuitable for consumption Extra Class, Class I or II. Classrooms should never be put in boxes and such fruits should be discarded.
Pomegranates must be free from disease or serious deterioration that significantly affects their appearance, edibility or quality. Pomegranates should be virtually free of soil, dust, chemical residue or other foreign matter. A very small amount of dust on fruit is allowed in practice. Here, the acceptable limit should not be exceeded. Traces of dust and any traces of dirt or visible chemical residues exceeding this limit will result in product rejection.
Occasionally, insects, mites or other harmful substances can be detected in the package samples of each class. Due to insects in commercial packages or insects that have damaged the product, the exported product may be rejected. Due to the thickness of the pomegranate fruit skin, a degree of light superficial damage is permissible provided it does not penetrate into the fruit or significantly reduce the appearance of the fruit. Any pest damage affecting only the fruit skin is considered within the limits allowed for skin damage in the relevant classes. The fruit crown should be carefully checked for the presence of mealybugs or snails. Foreign odor should not permeate the fruits in the storage environment or during transportation. The fruits should not be damaged by frost both in the storage environment and during transportation. Fruit should be free from damage from low or high temperatures. There should be no sunburns affecting the grains of the fruit. It has been stated that the pomegranate seeds in the sunburned chamber turn into a light red or almost white color different from the typical fruit color, which causes the rejection of the products. Pomegranates must have reached a level of development and maturity appropriate to the pomegranate variety and the area in which it is grown. Slight deformities in pomegranates to be exported, depending on the quality class, provided that they do not affect the preservation quality and presentation in the package; slight errors in coloration, slight fruit skin defects including cracking (provided that the defects do not affect the grain of the fruit), slight errors are permissible.
In 2018, an export income of 114 million dollars was obtained in return for the export of 205 thousand tons of pomegranate. Iraq has a share of 33% and Russia a share of 23% among the countries to which the most exports are made.
In addition to pomegranate exports, Turkey also imports a small amount of pomegranate. In 2018, 900 tons of pomegranate was imported for 900 thousand dollars. About 1/3 of our pomegranate production is exported.
In return for import data, the country with the highest imports is Russia. The interesting thing is that Russia is one of the countries we export the most pomegranates to. While 47 thousand tons of pomegranate was exported to Russia in 2018, 324 tons of pomegranate was imported from this country.
Although pomegranate cultivation has been carried out since ancient times in Turkey, its development in the fruit growing sector has been since the 2000s. In order to be able to grow pomegranate in an efficient and high quality way, it is necessary to pay attention to the harvesting processes and storage conditions, as well as the geographical conditions of the selected region. Inadequate transfer of technical knowledge to practice leads to poor quality of the product and a decrease in the export share. For example, pulling off the pomegranate plant causes damage to the fruit and branches. Harvested fruits should be left softly in crates. Care should be taken not to damage the calyx.
Post-harvest preservation is very important in pomegranate. Because while there may be export opportunities in a wide period, it can be sold for 2-3 times more value in periods other than the harvest period. The fruits to be preserved must be intact and not damaged. Since damaged fruits will spoil prematurely and cause deterioration of other fruits, these fruits should be separated at the sorting stage to be used for different purposes.
In the event that cultural and maintenance processes are carried out regularly in the areas where pomegranate cultivation is carried out, both an increase in pomegranate production and the opportunity to obtain better quality products will arise.
The distribution of certified saplings with incentives without production planning has led to the establishment of new pomegranate orchards. The increase in exports in parallel with the increase in products is a positive development. A possible excess supply that may occur in the markets due to the exponential increase in pomegranate production in Turkey may put the producers in trouble due to the fall in prices and the decrease in the profitability ratio. Since pomegranate production and consumption in the world is not revealed by official statistics, more care should be taken in establishing new pomegranate orchards. Otherwise, as in the past examples of tea, hazelnut, sugar beet and cotton cultivation, the market prices falling below the cost may cause producers to turn to products that provide more income.
The main problems of pomegranate producers; Difficulties in obtaining certified saplings for newly established pomegranate orchards are the lack of widespread use of modern irrigation systems and the inadequacy of storage areas with appropriate conditions.
Turkey has a residue problem in pomegranate as in many exported agricultural products. This situation spoils the image of Turkish agricultural products in the world. The producers should be trained (cultural-biological-chemical intervention methods) against pomegranate pests ( Mediterranean Fruit Fly , Citrus mealybug, Orange Moth , Carob Moth , Tree Yellow Weed , Pomegranate Aphid, Pomegranate Flat Mite , Pomegranate Whitefly, etc.).
Pomegranate consumption is becoming widespread in the world due to its positive effects on health. Promotions should be made to create the image of “Turkish Pomegranate” in the world.
Obtained from pomegranate; The registration of products such as pomegranate juice, pomegranate syrup and pomegranate jam by obtaining a “geographical indication” certificate will ensure the protection of the product-manufacturer-consumer and Turkey's having an important share in the world pomegranate trade.