Prunus

Billions of flowers bloom every year in the peach trees of the fertile plain of Imathia, painting Spring pink

Farmers in northern Greece are desperately seeking help abroad to get their fruit and other crops picked, as local youth disdain farm work and the once-reliable Albanian farmhands now prefer to chase jobs in northern European Union countries.

Bankruptcies in agriculture are increasing and the prices of raw materials and fuels are rising. All this against the background of lack of staff in all sectors. A few days ago, Deputy Prime Minister Asen Vassilev made a forecast that the price of grain will increase.

Turkey is the world's number one producer of hazelnuts, cherries, figs, apricots, quinces, and poppies, according to official Agriculture and Forestry Ministry data.

Turkey has reaped the largest agricultural income in the EU for the last decade, and is among the top countries in the world, said the data, as analyzed by Anadolu Agency.

Blooming peach gardens in Turkey's western Aydın province draw the attention of onlookers with their enchanting views during the spring season. (AA Photo)

Turkish cherry growers expect exports to China to increase significantly as a condition that cherries should wait for 16 days in cold storage before being shipped has been revoked.

Bulgarian cherry production in marketing year (MY) 2018 is expected to reach a record high due to expanded area, favorable weather, and improved average yields. The growth in cherry stocks will foment more processing and fresh consumption. Peach production and stocks are lower due to weather-related yield losses in major production regions. Fresh peach consumption is forecast to be stable.

Hundreds of people celebrated on Saturday the reopening of the Japanese Garden in Herastrau Park by having picnics and taking photos of the blossoming cherries, an event that was also attended by Japanese Ambassador in Bucharest Kisaburo Ishii.

He officially opened the garden where Bucharest citizens came alongside their loved ones, with blankets and food to have a full-on picnic.

Once upon a time, the town of Melita was famous for its legendary fruit orchards. Even the name of Melita sounds delicious. This is the old name for Malatya, the unrivaled capital of apricots in Turkey, and the world in a way. The city produces 90 percent of all dried apricots exported from Turkey, which sums up to almost 80,000 tons worth $290.7 million.

After a three-year wait, Turkey's famous home-grown apricot has earned a coveted EU geographical indication, boosting hopes of bolstering the fruit's export and marketing.

According to a statement on July 7 from the Customs and Trade Ministry, apricots produced in the eastern province of Malatya became the second Turkish product to get the EU designation after the Aegean fig.