We share with you what is curious about avocado cultivation in Turkey and what needs to be known in this article.
What is avocado?
Avocado is a tree in the family defnegils, whose homeland is Central Mexico, and the name of the fruit of this tree. In addition to regions with tropical climate, it is a fruit that is grown in various regions with a subtropical climate and Mediterranean climate provided that frost events are not much. Avocado is a climacteric plant. So harvest and eating deaths are different.
Avocado’s entrance into our country
In historical records, it is stated that the avocado was first grown in the 1700s by Molla Kamil Efendi. At that time, it was also known as the “crocodile pear”. Molla Kamil Efendi, who received agricultural training, cultivated avocado brought from abroad in Yalova and soon began to be widely consumed in the palace. The Ottoman adventure of the avocado was destroyed by the public in the rebellions of 1730 because unfounded rumors about this fruit were made.
Commercial avocado cultivation began in 1911 when the Fuerte variety was selected from Mexico and brought to California. From this date, Mexico, United States, Chile; Israel, Spain, It has spread rapidly in many countries such as Australia and Indonesia.
In our country, avocado tree, according to some information, started to be grown by some producers in Alanya as a hobby in 1953. In the early 1970s, in order to expand the commercial cultivation of avocado, 4 important varieties were brought from California through FAO, including Fuerte, Hass, Bacon and Zutano. These varieties have been tested in ecological conditions in Antalya, Dalaman-Muğla, Alata-Mersin, Adana and İskenderun-Hatay. In Antalya and Alanya conditions, it has been observed that the varieties studied in the trial between 1969 and 1983 are compatible and their cultivation has become widespread since the mid-1980s.
After the 2000s, Fuerte, Hass, Bacon and Zutano varieties, which were registered and produced by the Western Mediterranean Institute of Agricultural Studies, spread rapidly with the success of Alanya and Gazipaşa districts, and later became the center of interest of small large investors in Mersin, Adana, Muğla, Izmir and surrounding provinces.
What are the ecological demands of avocado?
Avocado is a tree that stays green all year round. Commercial cultivation should be done in warm tropical and subtropical regions during winters. The average temperature of 21-24 degrees is suitable for avocado cultivation. Cold regions with frequent frost events and strong winds are not suitable for the garden facility. The effects of low temperature vary between -1 and -6 degrees, depending on the varieties. In regions that have lower degrees of winter, relatively resistant varieties to cold weather conditions should be preferred. In recent years, it has been seen that up to 400-500 altitudes have been planted. Today, with the successful results of under-cover production, the areas where avocado cultivation are increasing day by day.
Where is avocado used?
Avocado is a tropical fruit that stands out for its rich nutrient composition and a significant amount of fat content. Along with studies investigating the nutritional value and benefits of avocado, the amount of production and new uses are also increasing day by day. Avocado fruits that are of good quality and can be processed depending on the target market and using appropriate technologies, oil, guacamole, mash, sauce, fresh slice, it is processed as a dried or frozen product.
Turkey’s place and future in the avocado world market
South American and African countries have dominated the world market in avocado production. The biggest avocado consumer is European countries. Due to its location in Turkey, it also has an important place in the European market with the fact that the harvest period in other producing countries is just beginning in our country. According to TurkStat data, avocado production in 2022 increased by 342.5% compared to the previous year and reached 40 thousand 181 tons. Despite this, while the production capacity is not sufficient for the domestic market today, if we add the European market, our country has a long way to go in this regard.
The production of avocado today
The developments in the field of avocado production from the past to the present have also affected the production of saplings. The increase in cultivation has also led to an increase in seedling production. The mistakes that are known correctly about avocado saplings have led this production to an unconscious and non-specialized production.
The first step to a good and healthy production should be healthy seedlings. As our producers become aware, the demand for healthy and certified saplings is increasing.
Since the day we were founded as Bifid Fidan at this stage and dreamed of this production, we continue to meticulously research the intricacies of healthy seedlings, which is the first and most important point for avocado cultivation, we do not leave our work to chance…
