08.06.2026 21:40
In Isparta, which alone meets 65 percent of the world's rose flower and rose oil production, the 2026 rose harvest has begun. While producers enter rose gardens with the first light of morning and work intensely, local and foreign tourists coming to the city also join in the harvest excitement by taking photos. Isparta's rose oil, whose kilogram price reached 12,000 euros last year, attracts great interest in the global perfume and cosmetics industry.
The rose harvest has begun in Isparta, which alone meets 65% of the world's rose flower and rose oil production. Accelerating before Eid al-Adha, the harvest activities have turned the city into a center of attraction for both producers and tourists with its fragrant rose gardens.
IT STARTS IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, AND VISITORS ARE NEVER MISSING During the harvest that starts in the early morning hours, producers carefully deliver the rose flowers they collect to the factories, while domestic and foreign visitors visiting the city take photos in the rose gardens and enjoy the unique scenery. As every year, this year's rose season is expected to make a significant contribution to regional tourism.
A LONG AND FRUITFUL HARVEST PERIOD IS EXPECTED Gulbirlik General Manager Ibrahim Isidan said, "Our rose harvest gained momentum after the holiday. In fact, as of May 15, harvests had started in some plain areas. The first rose harvests were carried out especially in the Kilic and Celtikci regions. The cool weather after the holiday positively affected the roses. This both increased the yield and extended the harvest period somewhat. We are currently in the plains of the Güneykent region. The roses here have started to bloom and the harvest continues. In the coming days, the roses that have not yet bloomed in the higher elevations will also flower. Therefore, a long and fruitful harvest period awaits us."
"WE FORECAST APPROXIMATELY 13 THOUSAND TONS OF ROSE FLOWER HARVEST THIS YEAR" Stating that they continue their rose oil and rose water production while continuing the rose harvest, Isidan used the following expressions: "We observe that there will be a higher production compared to last year. According to our estimates, we foresee that approximately 13 thousand tons of rose flowers will be harvested this year. Regarding the price, we announced a base price of 80 lira per kilogram after our general assembly before the harvest. We will make this payment at the end of the harvest. Later, after marketing the products we produce, we will have efforts to make additional payments to our producers."
ROSE WITH A KILOGRAM PRICE REACHING 12 THOUSAND EUROS SEES INTENSE INTEREST IN THE WORLD MARKET Stating that rose oil prices were at the level of 12 thousand euros last year, Isidan said, "This year, we hope to achieve similar levels in rose oil production. We will continue our supplies for the cosmetics and perfumery sector at these prices. As Gulbirlik, we have approximately 3 thousand partners. In addition, together with rose producers who are not members of our union, rose production holds an important place in the livelihood of approximately 5-6 thousand families in the region. Rose production is carried out on an area of approximately 35 thousand decares in the region. Our products are among the most important raw materials of the world perfume and cosmetics sector. Isparta rose, with its quality, is accepted by the world perfume industry. France, Switzerland, Germany, and the USA are among our most important markets. There is also interest from some Arab countries, but not from every country; however, due to the war situation, trade there has come to a halt. We also have a customer portfolio there, especially in countries like Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Qatar," he said.
GOAL IS TO HAVE A STRONGER POSITION IN THE CHINESE MARKET "In China, our aim is to transform the rose oil and other raw materials we obtain from roses into value-added cosmetic products," said Isidan. "We have been continuing our work in this direction for about 10-12 years. There is intense interest in our products. During this period, we also had guests from China. During the festival, we came together with influencers and distributors and promoted our rose water and other products. Hopefully, we are striving to add much more value to the rose by sending more value-added products there," he stated.