The harvest of winter strawberries has started in Koprubasi, a district located in the western Turkish city of Manisa. The product is sold for 10 Turkish Lira (1,65 Euro) per kilogram and it generates an important revenue for the farmers in Koprubasi.
Strawberry production continues all the year round. In December, January and February, farmers grow winter strawberries using a drip irrigation system.
Koprubasi is Turkey's on of the most important strawberry producers. While the price for strawberries in summer ranges between 3 to 4 Turkish Lira (0,49 to 0,66 Euro), winter strawberries are sold for 10 Turkish Lira (1,65 Euro).
Good revenue for the district
Alptekin Sagiroglu, the Manager of Koprubasi Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry said that the production of strawberries brings in good revenue for the farmers in the district. "There are 350 hectares of strawberry fields registered in our system. We produce approximately 10 thousand tons of strawberries in this area. We have an input of around 30 million Turkish Lira (nearly 5 thousand euro) every year. We produce with special covers in winter. We have nearly 10 hectares of greenhouses. In December, January and February we produce around 600 tons of strawberries in total. Koprubasi is not an industrial town and this is the only source of revenue for our residents." Sagiroglu added.
Rahim Ozcan, a farmer in the area said: "I grow strawberries in an open area of 2 hectares and in a closed area of 0,4 hectares. We collect 500 kilograms of strawberries in winter. We sell them to Izmir (a western Turkish town neighboring Manisa) where our clients are based. While we sell strawberries in summer for only 3 to 4 Liras (0,49 to 0,66 Euro), in winter we sell them for 10 Liras (1,65 Euros). The taste of winter strawberries are quite different than the ones in summer. They have good taste. This is the reason why our clients in Izmir prefer our product."
Source: Bloomberg