Farmers in Turkmenistan will export cherries to CIS countries for the first time this year after establishing commercial-scale production, according to local reporting.

The fruit is grown on 100 hectares at a horticultural complex near the Kopetdag mountains, 140 km southeast of Ashgabat. Cherry production is new for the country, and growers said they had to adapt cultivation methods to hot conditions.

According to the orchard operator, the main challenges are maintaining suitable temperatures, growing the trees, achieving a marketable crop, and delivering the fruit to buyers after harvest.

The orchard uses a modern irrigation system, and the trees are regularly pruned. After harvest, the cherries are cooled in fruit storage facilities to slow deterioration. The fruit is then graded, sorted and packed.

A specialist at the cold storage facility said the complex processes 16 to 20 tonnes of fruit per day. After packing, the product is placed in refrigerated storage for longer-term holding before shipment to domestic and export markets.

The report also said the same complex recently exported more than 300 tonnes of apples to Russia, Kazakhstan and Georgia. Cherries are next in line and are scheduled to be shipped to CIS countries for the first time this year.

Source: news.rambler.ua