‘Green gold’ harvest begins in Pazaryeri: Low yield expectations for hops
The harvest season has begun for hops, which are grown exclusively in the Pazaryeri district of Bilecik in Turkey; producers say yields are low this year.
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The 2026 harvest season has begun for hops, a crop synonymous with the Pazaryeri district of Bilecik and referred to by producers as “green gold.” The industrial plant, which is stated to be grown only in Pazaryeri in Turkey, is among the district's most important agricultural products.
Used primarily in the beverage industry as well as in medicine, food, and cosmetics, hops require intensive labor in the fields during the harvest season. After harvesting the product they have worked on all year, producers deliver it for processing.
Hop production in Turkey officially began in 1955. The first efforts to grow the product in Pazaryeri were made in 1965. After it was observed that the district's climatic conditions were suitable for production, hop farming became widespread in Pazaryeri starting in 1973.
The purchase price announced earlier for this year was set at 122 TL for the Aroma variety and 100 TL for other varieties. However, producers state that costs have increased and yields are lagging behind previous years.
Gülay Karyel, a 57-year-old hop producer in the village of Dereköy, stated that they have been involved with this product since her childhood, saying, “We started the hop harvest this year. We are harvesting for our neighbors. Now we will harvest for ourselves. We cut the ‘Brewers Gold’ variety second, and now we will cut the ‘Aroma’ variety. Compared to previous years, the yield is not very good this year.”
Pazaryeri Mayor Zekiye Tekin also visited the producers during the harvest season. Tekin noted that the product was tested in Turkey's 7 regions in 1973 but only grew in Pazaryeri, and wished the farmers a fruitful season.
Stating that hops can be utilized in different fields, Tekin noted that hop cologne has been developed in Pazaryeri and that efforts are underway to expand its areas of use through R&D studies.