17 September 2018•Update: 17 September 2018
By Muhammed Ali Gurtas
ANKARA
Turkish Airlines carries the Chester variety of Turkish blackberries that stand out for delicious taste, aroma, meaty structure and high-quality, the company said Monday.
Turkey's national flag carrier noted that its affiliate company Turkish Cargo provides service to 122 countries around the world as one of the fastest growing air cargo brands in the world.
"Blackberries are carried on board the passenger aircraft at 2 degrees Celsius [35.6 degrees Fahrenheit] in cold chain status, and arrive fresh in Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, and Hong Kong," the airline said.
According to the airline, the shipments of indigenous blackberries started this summer and will continue in the coming seasons.
Turkish Airlines said that the blackberries are grown in May, June, July, and August in and around the southeastern Batman province -- the major land for cultivation of blackberry across Turkey -- and it is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and aromas with a Brix degree of 13.5.
"Picked up and packed before sunrise as it is a fragile product which is highly affected from sunlight, blackberries are kept well-preserved in high-standard cold storages of Turkish Cargo without any loss of heat," it said.
Turkish Airlines also noted that its affiliate company Turkish Cargo makes a significant contribution in respect of extended shelf life of the Turkish blackberry as well as enabling it to reach new countries.
"Turkish Cargo, being capable of conveniently responding to the import-export demands received from any country in the world, builds up a trust for the special cargo by virtue of its aircraft fleet, operational diversity and cold storage consignments supply chain," it added.
Mehmet Sabit Ceylan, an exporter, was cited as saying in the statement that the rare Turkish blackberries, containing an intense sugar concentration and twenty shades of red, are delivered to different markets beyond Turkey's borders.
"As part of the national development attempts; our mission is to ensure that the products, which can be cultivated in our region, are increased, and that the logistics and industrial infrastructure of them are created, and also that they are introduced to the international market," Ceylan said.
"We currently achieve this mission with fresh fruits, frozen fruits, fruit juice concentrate and fruit juices produced by us," he said. "Standing out with its nutritional values rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, as well as its meaty structure and high-quality, these blackberries, grow in our lands."
"One of the most important factors to enable us to succeed as a country is a high-quality service offered by Turkish Cargo to make us venture into the international market," Turkish exporter said, noting that the speed and capacity offered by Turkish Cargo is a great opportunity for the exporters.
Turkish Airlines, founded in 1933, flies to more than 300 destinations in over 120 countries. By the end of August 2018, the airline had 326 aircraft -- 92 of them wide-body along with 216 narrow-body aircraft and 18 cargo planes.
