14.12.2025 12:07
The harvest of the geographically marked mandarins in the Bodrum district of Muğla has begun. It was noted that this year's yield is below 3,000 tons, and prices vary according to quality. It was emphasized that Bodrum mandarins should be featured on menus.
The harvest of the geographically marked mandarin in Bodrum, a world-famous district of Muğla, has begun. Erman Aras, the leader of the Bodrum Mandarin Movement, stated that the yield this year is below 3,000 tons, saying, "When you look at the wholesale price in the garden, it ranges from 15 to 20 lira per kilo depending on its quality. It reaches the end consumer at around 40 to 50 lira. When you go to the greengrocers, this figure can go up to 100 lira."
The harvest of Bodrum mandarin, the city's geographically marked product, has begun in Bodrum, one of the world's important tourism centers. Mandarins are being collected by producers from gardens in various locations on the peninsula, especially in the neighborhoods of Bitez and Ortakent. With its aroma and scent, Bodrum mandarin is used in many products, especially in jams, sodas, delights, and colognes. It has been noted that the yield this year is below 3,000 tons.
'YIELD HAS DROPPED BELOW 3,000 TONS'
Erman Aras, the leader of the Bodrum Mandarin Movement and the facilitator of the Bodrum City Council Geographical Indications Working Group, stated that Bodrum mandarin is a harbinger of the New Year, saying, "In December, Bodrum's local mandarin reaches a beautiful and edible form. This year, looking at the overall yield in Bodrum, it has dropped below 3,000 tons. This is because high temperatures in August negatively affected Bodrum mandarin."
Aras noted that the expected prices in the market for Bodrum mandarin have been reached, saying, "There are many seedless mandarins in the market. In contrast, Bodrum mandarin is seeded and has a very strong aroma. Many people love it, but it is hard to find in the market. Seedless mandarins are preferred more. Once someone eats Bodrum mandarin, they can't stop. In the garden, the wholesale price per kilo is around 15-20 lira depending on its quality. It reaches the end consumer at around 40-50 lira. When you go to the greengrocers, this figure can go up to 100 lira," he said.
'SHOULD BE USED IN MENUS'
Aras expressed that they want businesses in Bodrum to use Bodrum mandarin in their menus, continuing, "Beautiful value-added products can be made with Bodrum mandarin. If businesses in Bodrum genuinely put their demands on the table, the production in Bodrum would not even be enough for the businesses in Bodrum. They can offer value-added products to the guests coming during the summer. This would be our salvation. The prices in the garden would rise. Thus, mandarin growers can take care of their gardens. Our goal is to do this."
'THE GREEN FORM IS ALSO BEAUTIFUL'
Aras drew attention to the beautiful green form of Bodrum mandarin that appears in August and its good market, saying, "If we can use it well while it is green, we are thinning it out. Now, the products that are growing are returning to us much more beautifully and deliciously. If businesses embrace the geographically marked Bodrum mandarin, the producers will smile, and we will protect the trees. Our harvest normally continues until January 15, which is the most delicious time. If there is no frost, it continues until the end of February or mid-March. If there is frost, it loses its taste. Therefore, December is the best time; I recommend it to everyone," he said.