A promotional activity for Turkish cherries began in Shanghai on March 29th. The president of the Aegean Sea Fruit and Vegetable Export Association directed 10 major Turkish fruit and vegetable exporters at the opening of this promotional activity. Domestic traders such as Huizhan Supermarkets also participated and together they strengthened the cooperation between China and Turkey in fruit and vegetable trade.

Zhang Chunhua, president of the Shanghai Fruit and Vegetable Industry Association stated that the Chinese cherry market is dominated by the USA, Chile, and New Zealand. According to market demand in Shanghai, the most attractive Turkish fruit for consumers in Shanghai is the cherry. In order to establish a firm foothold in the Chinese cherry market, Turkish cherry farmers need to lower the cost price. Even more important, however, is to cut down the transport time and secure refrigerated transport for the entire journey, to guarantee product quality and food safety.

The Turkish cherry industry is flourishing. Turkey has the capacity for an annual export volume of 650 thousand tons of cherries. However, Turkey has not yet signed an export agreement with China and is therefore unable to enter the Chinese cherry market. This promotional activity, which offers the opportunity to connect the Shanghai export association, domestic traders, and municipal government, shines a light on Turkish cherries and will speed up the process by which Turkish cherries obtain permission to enter the Chinese market.