(ECO) TURKEY'S FRESH FRUIT, VEGETABLE EXPORT EARNINGS TO HIT 2 BLN USD IN 2009.

MERSIN, Aug 11, 2009 (TUR) -- Turkey's earnings from fresh fruit and vegetable exports exceeded 1 billion USD in the first seven months of 2009, offering hope for exporters to achieve the target of 2 billion USD by the end of the year.

Fresh fruit and vegetable exports increased 24 percent in quantity and 10 percent in value when compared to the same period of last year, an exporters' assembly official said on Tuesday.

It reached 1.06 billion USD as of end-July, said Kemal Kacmaz, head of fresh fruit and vegetables exporters' assembly.

Cherry and sour cherry was the most shipped fresh fruit, while tomato topped vegetable exports from Turkey.

"We have surpassed last year's figures. We hope to reach the annual export target of 2 billion USD by the end of 2009," Kacmaz said.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)