Turkmen Farmers Will Export Cherries from the Kopetdag Foothills for the First Time
Growing cherries, which are delicate and sensitive to extreme heat, in the Turkmen climate was long considered a daring experiment. However, today, domestic farmers have officially launched this crop for commercial export. According to the MIR 24 television channel, residents of the Commonwealth countries will be able to taste cherries from Turkmenistan for the first time this season, grown in a large-scale horticultural complex at the foot of the Kopetdag Mountains. Local farmers have managed to turn the extremely hot climate into their greatest advantage, as the abundant sunshine produces incredibly sweet cherries.
This success was made possible by strictly adhering to the most delicate production processes. To ensure a bountiful harvest for the capricious trees in the foothills 140 kilometers from Ashgabat, the orchard was equipped with an automated drip irrigation system and delicate contour pruning. Harvesting the berries is only half the battle, as the cherries spoil literally before your eyes.
To preserve their harvest, farmers use cooling technology in specialized fruit storage facilities immediately after harvesting, which prevents the fruit from wilting. Only then are they graded and packaged in long-term refrigeration chambers. Following the recent successful shipment of over 300 tons of apples to Russia, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, this new berry business promises to become another promising brand for environmentally friendly Turkmen exports.
