Manisa, a western Turkish city, specialises in the early variety of cherries. Farmers in the area have just started to harvest the variety Ziraat 900.
In Sehzadeler district's Sancakli Bozkoy neighborhood, 50 thousand tons of cherries are grown in a field of 3 thousand hectares. Ziraat 900 variety of cherries are preferred due to their bright red color, big size, special aroma and long shelf life. The product is the major source of revenue for the farmers in the region.
Last year, cherries were sold for 12 to 14 Turkish Lira (1.8 to 2.1 Euro) per kilo, this year the prices went up to 24 to 30 Turkish Lira (3.6 to 4.5 Euro).
"Europe prefers these cherries"
Exporter Huseyin Ucak said that the Ziraat 900 is very suitable for exports due to its quality, taste and long shelf life. "Early variety cherries are usually higher in price but in the coming days this will be lower. Producers are content with the sales. Currently the price per kilo is 24 to 30 Turkish Lira but this will decrease to 15 to 18 Turkish Lira (2.2 to 2.7 Euro)" said Ucak.
Cherry producer Metin Koyuncu expressed his content about the prices and the yield. Koyuncu emphasized that Ziraat 900 is the most valuable variety in the area and said: "Depending on the quality, cherry prices can go up to 30 Turkish Lira (4.5 Euro). We are content with this situation. Our yield is also high. We hope that both our prices and our yield will continue like this."
Source: Hurriyet
