ISSN: 1308-6200 | Publisher: Kültür Ajans 

Karadeniz International Scientific Journal

This is an internationally refereed social science journal that is published every three months (quarterly) in electronic-based and print-based since 2009. The journal publishes four issues each year (March, June, September, and December).

The publication language of this journal is Turkish, English, or Russian.

This is an open-access journal. Therefore, all issues and articles published so far can be accessed free of charge from the journal's website.

 

Issue 48
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MODELLING OF CITRUS PRODUCTION AND EXPORT PROCESS: EASTERN MEDITERRENEAN REGION OF TURKEY

Hürol ASLAN

Ertan ZEREYAK

Sevgi Tüzün RAD

Although the citrus fruits grown in Turkey are table fruits with high export values, the incompatibility between the production methods and the standards demanded by importing countries is one of the primary factor limiting the exportability of the citrus fruits. In this context, there is a need for a horizontal organizational model encompassing the co-ops and unions of producers and exporters to improve the effectiveness of exports.

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of integrated planning within the citrus sector to the competitiveness of Turkey and to form a dynamic system model. With the model to be developed, attempts will be made to test the benefits of the alternative integration models in the regional scales.

This study is made on the citrus exporting firms in Mersin province, which was selected as the sampling area of the eastern Mediterranean Region. For this purpose, out of the 55 firms operating within the provincial borders of Mersin, three firms which manage their own operations from production to final delivery were selected. During the face-to-face interviews done with the firms’ representatives, a semi-structured questionnaire form with 12 open-ended questions was used. The data were collected through in-depth interview technique.

It was noted that, despite of certain differences, the firms which were interviewed purchased the fruits needed for exports directly from the producers, before the harvest, and they did the processing in their own facilities. It was understood that, the quality control was done by eye in the orchards, during cutting, at the first entry to processing, and before and during the final loading.

Through the model used in this study, it is concluded that, establishing horizontal integration in regional scales will improve the performances of stakeholders and the time to procure the fruits in the standards demanded by the sector will be reduced when a consolidated purchasing strategy is implemented.

In conclusion, an integrated model where the stakeholders combine their production volumes and strengths in citrus sector will boost the stakeholders’ competitiveness and profitability. Since this model will also help reach a certain standard in the production of the fruits, it will increase the amount of fruits fit for exports and help achieve a near-export level of quality in domestic markets, as well.

Keywords: Turkey, citrus, modelling, horizontal integration, exporting, Simio, simulation

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