Growers in the district of Erdemli, in the south of Turkey, are pleased with the fall tomatoes they have grown, according to the Chairman of the Erdemli Chamber of Agriculture (EZO) Rasim Sahin. “Annually 450,000 – 500,000 tons of tomatoes are grown in the district of Erdemli located in southern part of Turkey in the city of Mersin. The production numbers are increasing every year and currently there are greenhouses of 270,000 square feet where tomatoes are grown. With the introduction of growing tomatoes for the fall season, now greenhouse tomatoes are being sold for around 2 TL [0.42 euros] per kg whereas greenhouse tomatoes were sold for under 1 TL [0.21 euros] last year in spring and summer season."
"The growers were looking for brokers to sell their products last year even if it was for below their cost price, but now our growers are getting good returns on their investments. This is vital for the economy of our district. We are hopeful that we will soon start exporting to Russia, the Balkan countries, Middle Eastern countries and other European countries."
Various other tomato growers in the district remarked that the 2 TL price for tomatoes is satisfactory for them and that it is a significant improvement over last year’s prices. They have also added that this year’s prices helped them to recoup some of their losses from last year and hope that the prices will be similar next year as well.
Source: Sabah