Gala, Starking, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji and Pink Lady: Turkey's main export apple varieties, their calibers and storage life.
Turkey ranks 2nd in the world in apple production according to FAO data, and most of that harvest sits across İzmir, Manisa, Antalya, and Isparta — inland, elevated orchards where cool nights meet warm days, the exact combination apple trees need to develop deep color and full sugar content. That chilling requirement is also why apple, unlike citrus or stone fruit, doesn't move south toward the Mediterranean coast the way most other Turkish fruit crops do.
Six varieties, two very different calibers
Gala and Pink Lady are the mid-caliber varieties, generally sized from around 55 mm up through 70 mm; Starking, Golden Delicious, and Fuji run larger, with Extra Class fruit commonly falling in the 70-90 mm range and select large-caliber lots reaching 90-125 mm on special order. Granny Smith, prized for its tart flavor and firm green flesh, sits alongside these as the classic acidic counterpoint to the sweeter varieties. Buyers ordering apples specify variety and caliber together, since the same grading class (Extra, Class I, Class II) covers a different size band depending on which variety it's applied to.
Harvest timing isn't read off a calendar date; pickers judge readiness variety by variety using ground color, firmness, and sugar content, since picking a batch even a few days early or late measurably changes how well it holds in storage afterward.
Why apple has the longest shelf life on the list
Properly harvested and held in cold or controlled-atmosphere storage, apples keep fresh for months — longer than almost any other fruit in a typical export catalog. That's what allows a single autumn harvest to supply markets nearly year-round, and it's also why storage handling, not just orchard practice, is such a large part of what determines final quality reaching the buyer. Beyond fresh eating, apples also move into juice, molasses, drying, and baking use, giving growers a second market for fruit that doesn't meet fresh-export caliber or class.
You can visit our Apple product page for full variety, caliber, and packaging detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which apple varieties have the largest caliber?
Starking, Golden Delicious, and Fuji run larger than Gala and Pink Lady, with Extra Class fruit commonly in the 70-90 mm range and select large-caliber lots reaching 90-125 mm.
How long can apples be stored after harvest?
Properly harvested apples held in cold or controlled-atmosphere storage can stay fresh for months — longer than almost any other fruit in a typical export catalog.