There are around 10 banana producers in Yeşilyurt, Yeşilırmak and Karpaz regions. About 5 thousand tons of bananas are imported from abroad for 5 million dollars annually. This year, around 500-550 tons of products are expected throughout the country.
Salahi Atalar, one of the local producers, told TAK that the product is expected to be between 500 and 550 tons this year, and the target is to increase to a thousand tons in 2 years.
Explaining that the government should pay attention to the import of bananas in order to increase production.
Atalar stated that the main harvest period is from November to June, their demands are to restrict banana imports during these periods, and the government has shown the necessary sensitivity in this regard.
Atalar also stated that there is no direct income support for banana production, but that it is covered by agricultural insurance, which is an important step taken by the government.
Stating that the area where bananas are planted in the north is around 210 acres and the number of producers is 8.
Atalar stated that the banana varieties are Cavendish and Azman, which are medium-sized and very sweet varieties.
Atalar also noted that the regions with water between Yeşilyurt and Yeşilırmak are suitable for banana production as a regional climate.
Noting that banana production is more profitable than citrus, but the risk of frost in the place to be planted should be low and there should be no water shortage.
Atalar noted that the average yield per acre of the citrus field is 25 thousand TL, and banana is 75 thousand TL, but the input of fertilizer and water is higher.
On the other hand, he noted that he did not use pesticides against pests.
Noting that the low risk of frost in some parts of Northern Cyprus is a great advantage, and that the banana orchards have been seriously damaged due to the frost events in Turkey this year.
Atalar also stated that banana production can be developed for export and can compete with Turkish bananas.
Pointing out that there was a banana garden of 250 decares, slightly more than today, in the North 30 years ago.
Atalar said that cheap bananas were brought from Ecuador at that time, and that the producer had to cut off production.
Atalar noted that the type of banana they used was Cavendish and Azman, and that they were continuing their research on one or two varieties used in Israel.
Reşat Değirmenci, Director of the Agriculture Department, noted that 4 thousand of the annual 5 thousand tons of banana imports were made from Ecuador, and the remaining thousand tons were brought from Turkey and Costa Rica.
Değirmenci stated that bananas are produced on approximately 200 decares of land in Northern Cyprus and that they estimate the banana planting area to be between 250 and 300 decares in 2023.
Değirmenci also stated that in order to protect the banana producers, restrictions were imposed on banana imports in November, December and January, when the harvest is at its highest, by the Department of Agriculture.
Değirmenci also pointed out that bananas are within the scope of the coastal trade agreement signed with Turkey.