14.05.2026 23:30
The grape leaf season, one of the most important sources of income for producers before the grape harvest, has begun in the Alaşehir district of Manisa. Producers entering the vineyards at the first light of morning receive their payments in cash at the purchasing centers they call "Yaprakbank." In the early days of the season, grape leaves found buyers at 120 TL per kilogram, but currently, they are trading at 80 TL.
In Alaşehir, where the world-famous seedless Sultaniye grape is grown, producers are breathing a financial sigh of relief thanks to vine leaves before the grape harvest.
THEY CALLED IT "YAPRAKBANK": KILO SELLS LIKE HOTCAKES AT 80 LIRA Vine leaves, consumed fresh or as brine, provide early-season income for local farmers. Producers enter the vineyards early in the morning, carefully picking young and fresh leaves and delivering them to collection centers. The leaves, packed in wicker baskets and cloth sacks, are placed in crates and handed over to merchants. Producers receive their payments in cash at collection centers they call "Yaprakbank." In the early days of the season, vine leaves fetched 120 TL per kilogram, and they are currently trading at 80 TL.
"THERE IS NO KITCHEN WITHOUT VINE LEAVES" Kadriye Kösebaş Evren, who buys vine leaves in Belenyaka Neighborhood, stated that the season started productively, saying, "We purchase Sultaniye vine leaves from our region at 80 TL. Leaf prices are good right now. Producers both maintain their vineyards and earn daily income thanks to the leaves. Our 2026 leaf season started well. People eagerly await the leaves because they meet all their pre-harvest needs with leaf income. They buy their pesticides, fertilizers, and fuel with the money from leaves. It's a great source of income for people. Alaşehir vine leaves are world-famous. There is no kitchen without vine leaves. They are also sent to various countries. Our leaves are bought as green market leaves and sold green," she said.
Evren emphasized that care must be taken not to damage the grapes while picking leaves, noting that producers sustain their vineyard maintenance while also earning economic income.
GEOGRAPHICALLY INDICATED PRODUCT Mustafa Seyhan, President of the Alaşehir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, provided information about the geographical indication process for Alaşehir vine leaves. Seyhan said, "Studies began with a project prepared by the District Governorate Project Office under the 2020 Technical Support Program of the Zafer Development Agency. Alaşehir vine leaves were registered by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on September 17, 2021. The economic value of Alaşehir vine leaves, the first geographically indicated product of our district, increases every year. The geographical indication is of great importance in preventing counterfeit products."
Alaşehir vine leaves, noted for their thin texture, veinless appearance, and tart aroma, are in high demand across Turkey. Young shoot leaves, collected every 8-10 days from the end of April to the end of July in seedless Sultaniye vineyards, are especially preferred for making stuffed grape leaves due to their pliable structure.
2 MILLION KILOS OF LEAVES WERE EXPORTED LAST YEAR Seyhan, noting that approximately 2 million kilograms of Alaşehir vine leaves, which hold a significant share in exports, were shipped last year, said, "Alaşehir vine leaves attract great interest both domestically and abroad for their thinness, flavor, and unique aroma. They are consumed heavily in the domestic market and exported to many countries, from Dubai to the United Arab Emirates, and from the United States to Ukraine. Thanks to the leaf season, our farmers receive money early on. This contributes to both family economies and the regional economy."
Producers picking leaves stated that they go to the vineyards early in the morning, both maintaining their vineyards and collecting leaves, saying, "We wake up early and go to our vineyards. We take care of our vines and pick our leaves. We take them to the leaf collection centers and sell them. We arrange our leaves in crates and get our money from 'Yaprakbank.' With that money, we cover our daily needs, market expenses, and save up for holiday spending."