Strawberry growing in Turkey: current status and future prospects

Strawberry is one of the most widespread fruit species grown in almost every country including high altitudes of tropical regions, subtropical and temperate areas. Due to the health and nutrient importance and economical benefit, its production increases year by year in the world and also in Turkey. In recent years, Turkey became one of the major strawberry producers' in the world. We export strawberries to eastern European countries like the Russian Federation, followed by Serbia, Macedonia, Iraq, Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Although strawberry can be grown in almost all parts of Turkey, the leading strawberry producing regions are the Mediterranean, Aegean and Marmara regions. In Turkey, strawberry production exclusively targets both local and foreign markets and relies on the high fruit quality during the whole year. American strawberry cultivars are mainly used for commercial growing. In our country, cross-breeding programs were started many years ago and 'Osmanli' (female) and other aromatic local cultivars were used as parents due to the having enthuastic aroma and some new hermaphrodite cultivars were registered. However, the firmness of those cultivars was not found favorible as commercial ones. For this reason breeding programs have been continued in collaboration among Universities, Research Institutes and private companies to improve firmer and aromatic berries.