The producers of blueberries in Türkiye They are seeing a sustained improvement in yields thanks to plantations reaching full maturity and more refined crop management. Ismihan Aren Memet, commercial manager of the exporter MBA Tarim, projects that if the 2026 season does not face extreme weather events, the yield could increase between 25% and 30% compared to the previous year.

Increased productivity through expansion and management

Ismihan Aren Memet, commercial manager of MBA Tarim, explains that compared to previous years, there has been a clear increase in the productivity of blueberry growing areas in Turkey. He attributes this improvement to the expansion of fields, higher plant density, and especially to the maturation of new plantings.

“With improved pruning practices, nutrition, and more regular crop monitoring, we expect this trend to continue in the coming years. For the 2026 season, barring any extreme weather events, we project a yield increase of around 25% to 30% compared to last year,” he notes.

The biggest fear: late frosts and water pressure

For producers and exporters, the weather remains the most decisive factor. Memet warns that late spring frosts—like those recorded in April—have caused partial damage to blueberries, as well as other crops, with losses reaching up to 30% in some regions.

Added to this is a second point of pressure: the dry summer conditions and low rainfall, which have increased the demand on groundwater used for irrigation. Looking ahead to 2026, the risk of late frosts persists, although their impact will depend on regional microclimates and how the winter unfolds, especially during sensitive stages such as flowering.

© MBA Tarim

Mitigation strategy: water protection and control

Faced with the recurrence of extreme events—frosts and heavy rains—the company states that it is applying an integrated approach to crop management. In the case of frosts, they combine cultural practices to delay the plants' emergence with greenhouse heating systems and air circulation solutions.

During periods of heavy rainfall, the focus shifts to drainage: evacuation capacity is improved, and channels are opened to remove excess surface water in a controlled manner. Memet adds that maintenance, carefully managed fertilization, and continuous field monitoring are key to maintaining stable production.

© MBA Tarim

Rising demand and export markets

Memet maintains that the growth in Turkish blueberry yields is occurring in parallel with increasing demand, both domestically and in exports. In Turkey, supply has risen significantly in recent years, but consumption is also growing. Within this context, they are working with continuous supply programs with retail chains, seeking stability and continuity.

In terms of exports, they highlight strong demand in Asia, supported by long-term business relationships and new contacts generated through international trade fairs. “Overall, we see a healthy balance between increased supply and demand,” he states.

Among the key destinations mentioned are Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Russia. They also highlight the Gulf region—with Dubai as a key hub—as well as the Far East and European markets, where they maintain regular traffic. According to Memet, the Far East remains strategic, both in terms of volume and demand from premium segments.

Finally, it notes growing interest from Gulf countries such as Bahrain and Kuwait, as well as Egypt in North Africa, and points out that they continue to expand their buyer network through trade fairs, B2B meetings and follow-up activities.