Tropical Fruits

Turkey and Latin America have experienced many similar historical and contemporary political processes and socio-economic changes despite significant cultural and historical differences.Trade relations between Latin American countries and Turkey exist especially in fruits and vegetables like bananas, pineapples, apples and grapes from countries like Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras and Chile. Fresh pineapples are one of the fastest growing products in the Turkish market for fresh produce. Costa Rica has realised a remarkable increase and over the past 10 years it has developed into a major exporter to the market. Currently, 56% of all fresh pineapples that Turkey imports, originate from Costa Rica. The introduction of the MD2 variety is the main cause of this success. International and Turkish market prices are variable to an extent that no one can make an exact prediction. Also consumption in the region is temporarily really low as a consequence of Ramadan. 

The usual summer factor, of seasonal fruit being available at competitive rates, dictates that prices are not expected to improve any time soon, especially for bananas and pineapples according to traders. This provides some scope for a better understanding of the gaps between the ideal competitive conditions and current circumstances. Encouraging competition is one central means of ensuring low prices, better service, increased efficiency and expanded service options. Service quality and customer satisfaction are very important concepts that companies must understand in order to remain competitive in business and hence grow.