23.08.2026 10:10
The harvest season for 2026 has begun for the world-famous, geographically indicated "Bursa Black" fig, unique to Bursa, which has even made its way into the kitchens of the British Royal Family.
The harvest season for 2026 has begun for the world-famous, geographically indicated "Bursa black" fig, which is unique to Bursa and has even made its way into the kitchens of the British Royal Family.
The price drops and purchase suspension decisions that came with the start of the harvest for black figs, which are exported to many European countries, especially England, Germany, and the Netherlands, have worried producers.
Purchase prices for export-grade products, which started at 130 liras at the beginning of the season, quickly fell to 80 liras, while some buyer companies halted purchases.
"HARVEST STARTED WELL, PRICES ARE ON THE DECLINE" Producer Ahmet Faruk Çabuk, stating that due to favorable climate conditions, yields in the orchards are high this year and the crops collected in the fields are being sent to the European market, noted that the losses experienced last year due to frost did not occur this season. Describing the harvest process and the market situation, Çabuk said: "This year the yield is slightly higher than last year; since the climate has been favorable, there have been no problems in the orchards. We collect our figs, put them in our crates, and give them to buyer companies; the products processed here go to the European market. However, prices are not very good. Purchase prices for export-grade black figs started at 130 liras. Last year at this time, they had seen levels of 190-200 liras. Prices already opened weak, and over the weekend they suddenly dropped to 80 liras, while some companies completely stopped purchases. We send the unripe ones for export and the ripe products destined for the domestic market to the markets in Istanbul, Bursa, and Eskişehir. In the domestic market, prices have also fallen, starting from 80 liras and dropping to 60 liras."
"IF PRICES FALL FURTHER..." Trader and farmer Halil Tetik, drawing attention to the fact that the Bursa black fig is a strategic product grown in approximately 40 villages of the city, emphasized the product's value in the world.
Tetik, stating that the harvest is still in its early stages, said, "It is a very valuable fruit, loved in Europe because it is organic, and it has even reached the royal family in England. The product has not fully proliferated yet; it has just begun. However, if prices fall further when the product proliferates, it will only cover our costs. If the current price levels continue, the producer can only make a few pennies."