Figue noire Turquie : la région de Bursa cherche à protèger sa production
Envoyé le 2 mars , 2010
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Turkey: Action to protect black fig of Bursa
A panel was organized in the northwestern city of Bursa last week in an attempt to discuss strategies to protect the city’s black figs. Bursa’s black fig, which is cultivated in around 30 villages around the city, ranks fourth in Turkey’s fruit exports, apart from citrus, and among export items it is the fruit least affected by the crisis, said Salih Çali, chairman of the Uludag Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Exporters’ Union.
The world-famous black fig draws attention particularly for its long shelf life, sweet and juicy nature as well as its appearance. “The black fig is a fruit unique to Bursa. Turkey produces 20,000 tons of black figs annually and exports over half of the amount in fresh form. We should be sensitive to protect Bursa’s black fig, which is very valuable in European markets.” In 2009, Turkey exported 13,000 tons worth $26 million, Çali said.
Unrivalled worldwide
Stressing the importance of paying heed to pesticide residues, a significant issue particularly in the European Union, Çali said, “In this panel, we discussed with all of the sector’s shareholders what we should pay attention to in order to sustain the fruit’s unrivalled status as well as boost our quality and production to EU standards.”
Meanwhile, Ahmet Arslan, deputy manager of the General Directorate of Protection and Control at the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry, underlined the need to prevent possible risks, and to make the black fig a national brand. Informing on some studies to get chemicals under control, Arslan said that within this scope, aerial spraying has been prohibited as well as 127 pesticides.
Arslan noted that on-field audit and control will be the focus this year. “For this, exporters, producers, nongovernmental organizations and public institutions need to work together. We will do what is necessary to detect the producers who do not fulfill their duties.”
A certification program will be implemented for grape cultivation and citrus harvesting this year, Arslan also said. “With this certificate, we will enable different procedures for the domestic market and exports. We would like to see this to be applied to the black fig as well.”
