Abstract:

In this study, the main 4 varieties of apples grown in Turkey are based on the price, taste, external and internal appearance characteristics, with the aim of identifying the best varieties of apples suitable for consumer preferences in the Erzurum province. To this goal, the method of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHS) and the simple random sample method based on the main mass ratio were used in the determination of the sample size. Working data were created in the Erzurum or central districts of the city area with 400 individuals face-to-face survey work. In the light of the data obtained, consumers pay more attention to the price, 30.75% to the price, 26.73% to the outer appearance, 23.61% to the taste and 18.91% to the interior appearance, and again for 31.65% Starking, 28.45% Golden, 25.70% Amassia and 14.20% Granny Smith, the choice of apples is appropriate. For people between the ages of 15 and 24 years, the most suitable apple is Granny Smith.  In addition to these results, the per capita apple consumption in Turkey is about 23 kg, while in Erzurum is about 19.15 kg. When considering the criteria that are effective in the choice of apple species to increase apple consumption in the province of Erzurum, one of the important criteria is the price for the Starking apple species, and if the other species of apples in the region are produced in areas in accordance with the climate and soil conditions, the cost will be reduced by providing the price advantage, the apple consumption per person can be increased.