Turkish Apple Sourcing Guide: Varieties, Calibers, and 1-MCP Cold Chain Stability

# Turkish Apple Sourcing Guide: Varieties, Calibers, and Cold Chain With annual production surpassing 4.5 million metric tons, Türkiye is the second-largest apple producer in the world. For international importers seeking high flesh pressure, uniform coloration, and extended shelf life, Turkish high-altitude apples represent an optimal commercial choice. ### Key Export Varieties 1. **Granny Smith:** Exceptional tartness, firm crisp flesh (>7.5 kg/cm²), vivid green rind. Ideal for long transit to India and Southeast Asia. 2. **Royal Gala / Gala Schniga:** Sweet aromatic early-season apple with crimson striped blush over gold background. 3. **Red Delicious (Scarlet Spur / Red Chief):** Solid dark crimson finish with classic five-point crown, highly favored in Middle Eastern and Indian markets. 4. **Golden Delicious:** Smooth skin, sweet honey flavor, and clean finish. 5. **Fuji:** Dense cellular structure, very high Brix (15°+), and extraordinary shelf life. ### Sizing and Count Systems for 18kg / 20kg Bush Boxes Export apples are calibrated electronically by weight, diameter, and optical color grading: - **Count 80 / 88:** Extra Large (80mm - 85mm+ / ~225g - 250g) - **Count 100 / 113 / 125:** Medium-Large (73mm - 80mm / ~160g - 200g) - **Count 138 / 150 / 163:** Standard Supermarket (68mm - 75mm / ~135g - 150g) - **Count 175 / 198:** Economy / Catering Sizing (64mm - 68mm) ### Controlled Atmosphere & SmartFresh (1-MCP) Technology Apples harvested at peak starch-iodine index are treated with 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) within 7 days of harvest and stored at +0.5°C with 1.0% O2 and 1.0% CO2 in Ultra-Low Oxygen (ULO) rooms. This ensures apples retain freshly-picked crunch and juice levels up to 11 months later.