06.04.2026 17:03
In Aydın, one of Turkey's important agricultural cities, the harvest of pine nuts, which is one of the sources of livelihood for the people after figs, olives, cotton, and chestnuts, has begun. Although the harvesting process is quite dangerous and difficult, the workers collecting the cones climb the trees like commandos, disregarding death.
In recent years, the pine nuts that have started to be frequently planted and cultivated in the mountainous areas of Aydın are bringing joy to both farmers and workers. While a single cone of pine nuts, which is sold wholesale for 3,000 TL per kilogram, is worth its weight in gold, collecting the cones located at the tops of pine trees that can reach heights of about 30-35 meters is quite difficult and dangerous. The skilled way in which workers climb trees at great heights surprises onlookers. Workers, who climb trees easily like commandos and walk on them, do their job with love despite the dangers.
Especially in the villages of the Koçarlı district, the collection workers who climb the pine trees at great heights to contribute to the economy of the country earn a daily wage of 3,500 TL. Male workers, who challenge death in the extremely dangerous task of dropping cones, stated that climbing trees and working at heights is not difficult for them because they are used to it. They mentioned that the majority of those who fall during the process of dropping cones from the tree lose their lives, yet they continue to do this job for their bread.
"FEW WORKERS DUE TO DANGER" Salih Narıncalı, one of the workers known as the 'Künar commando', expressed that he has been involved in this work since his childhood, saying, "I have been climbing trees and working since my childhood. This is our job. It slips because it has a hook. That's why I'm used to it. We are not afraid. We have been doing this job for years. I have been doing this job for an average of 20 years. God bless, our earnings are good. Since the trees are high, there is almost no one to climb. There are few workers in this job. The new generation does not do this job anymore because it is dangerous," he said.
Künar producer Mehmet Karadağ, expressing that one of their biggest problems during the harvest season is finding workers, said, "Not everyone can do this job. It is a laborious and difficult job. God bless, the prices are good for now. The price per kilogram is in the range of 2,500 to 3,000. The worker's daily wage is also in the range of 3,500. As in every profession, there is a problem in finding workers for künar harvesting among the new generation. We have a problem with workers," he stated.