Banana harvest season has begun
As the intensive harvest period begins in Mersin, where more than half of Turkey's banana demand is produced, growers—noting that bananas harvested in the field for 16-18 TL are sold in markets for around 30 TL—have recommended consuming domestic bananas instead of imported ones, which can cost up to 80 TL.
12punto
In Mersin, which ranks among the top regions in Turkey for fresh fruit and vegetable production, various products are harvested in every season through both open-field and greenhouse cultivation. Bananas, produced intensively especially in Anamur, Bozyazı, Silifke, and Erdemli, are particularly noteworthy. In the city where one out of every two bananas consumed nationwide is produced, the intensive period for greenhouse cultivation has begun. It was reported that the first-quality price of domestic bananas in the field is 16-18 TL. Pointing out that the price of imported bananas reaches up to 80 TL, producers urged consumers to choose domestic bananas, which are sold in markets for between 26 and 30 TL.
"LET'S SUPPORT FARMERS BY CONSUMING DOMESTIC BANANAS"
Noting that there are approximately 2 thousand decares of banana greenhouses in the Limonlu neighborhood of Erdemli district, processing facility manager Yafes Akça said, "The season has opened, and the harvest intensity has begun. We are harvesting and bringing in the bananas that ripen in the greenhouses. After combing, cleaning, and washing them, we package and ship them. We deliver them to every part of Turkey, from Istanbul to Van, from Gaziantep to Trabzon. Domestic bananas are very good in terms of taste and aroma. Therefore, let's both support our farmers and contribute to our economy by consuming domestic bananas."
Producer Ahmet Yıldırım stated, "We have started the harvest; we bring our products to the facility, have them cleaned and packaged, and send them all over Turkey. Everything is proceeding smoothly right now. Our domestic bananas are better than the imported ones and are more affordable in terms of price. Personally, even if it were cheaper, I would not prefer imported bananas. We recommend domestic bananas to our citizens. Let them support the farmers," he said.