Evaluation of the Importance and the Place of Grape Export of Mersin Province in Turkish Economy

Viticulture is among the most important branches of agriculture in our country. Half of the land of Mersin province consist of the forested areas, agricultural land 25%. Half of the agricultural land is irrigated. Mersin province has been ranked 3rd in the area of vineyards and grape production in our country. 85% of the cultivated grape varieties are evaluated as table grape, Mersin has come to the fore with table grape breeding. Greenhouse grape growing also has a special importance. The most widely grown grape varieties are Yalova Incisi, Alphonse Lavallée, Tarsus Beyazı and Cardinal, the late season variety is Tilki Kuyruğu grape variety. Raisin is most important exports product four country. It is observed that the two–fold increase in export of fresh grape and raisin in the last eight years in Turkey. The grape export of Mersin Province has value about 5% on Turkey's fresh grape export in 2013, raisin is approximately 0.02%. In particular of greenhouse grape growing and using modern systems in viticulture will increase its contribution to the vilticultural economy.