In a statement released on Friday, TurkStat said that the second estimate of 2023 showed an increase of 7.7% for cereals and other crops (except fodder crops), 0.3% for vegetables, and 2.2% for fruits, beverage and spices crops.

The estimated production quantities for 2023 were 75.9 million tons for cereals and other crops, 31.7 million tons for vegetables, and 27.4 million tons for fruits, beverage and spices crops.

Among the cereals and other crops, wheat production was expected to increase by 10.4% to reach 21.8 million tons, barley production by 5.9% to reach 9 million tons, rye production by 6.2% to reach 290 thousand tons, and oats production by 12.3% to reach 410 thousand tons.

In the dry pulses group, chick pea, dry beans, and red lentil production were estimated to be 575 thousand tons, 242 thousand tons, and 424 thousand tons respectively. The production of potatoes, one of the tuber crops, was expected to increase by 7.7% and reach 5.6 million tons.

In the group of oil seeds, soybean production was expected to decrease by 11.3% and reach 137.5 thousand tons, and sunflower production by 13.8% and reach 2.2 million tons.

The production of sugar beets was expected to increase by 16.9% and reach 22.5 million tons.

In the vegetables group, some crops were expected to see an increase in production, such as tomatoes by 2.3%, onion (dry) by 10.6%, and pepper (for processed, capia) by 8.3%. On the other hand, some crops were expected to see a decrease in production, such as watermelon by 7.6%, melon by 11.9%, and cucumber by 6%.

In the fruits group, apple production was expected to decrease by 2.8%, olive production by 54.6%; while peach and nectarine production was expected to increase by 7.7%, cherry production by 15.4%, and sour cherry production by 18.8%.

In the citrus group, mandarin production was expected to increase by 58.1%, orange production by 71.7%, and lemon production by 75%. In the nuts group, hazelnut production was expected to decrease by 15%, pistachio production by 26.4%, while walnut production was expected to increase by 18.8%.

TurkStat said that the estimates were based on data collected from farmers and agricultural enterprises through surveys and administrative sources.

The final estimate of crop production for 2023 will be announced on February 28, 2024. (ILKHA)