16.04.2026 14:03
In the Silifke district of Mersin, apricot harvesting has begun in open fields after greenhouse production. The price per kilogram for fresh apricots has dropped to as low as 200 lira with the start of open-field harvesting.
In Mersin, which ranks among the top in Turkey's fresh vegetable and fruit production, harvests are beginning not only under cover but also in open fields. Plums, whose harvest started under cover in March, have also ripened in open fields. Initially sold by the piece due to their high price, especially for pregnant women craving them, plum prices have now dropped. Plums that reached nearly 10,000 TL per kilogram under cover have started selling for between 200 and 800 TL with the open-field harvest.
"WE ARE SATISFIED WITH THE HARVEST"
Producer Ali Bezgin stated that with the end of the under-cover harvest, the open-field plum harvest has begun, saying, "I produce plums both under cover and in open fields in the Keben neighborhood. Our harvest continues both under cover and in open fields. I harvested 15 tons of plums from 12 decares under cover."
Bezgin emphasized that due to unfavorable weather conditions this year, they started the open-field plum harvest about a month late, saying, "I have now started the plum harvest on 12 decares of open field. We expect around 15 tons of harvest from here as well. Currently, we are selling our harvested plums at prices ranging from 200 to 800 liras depending on their size. With the improvement in weather, the plums have started to grow. We are satisfied with the harvest."
"8,500 TONS OF PRODUCTION EXPECTED"
Producer Murat Temur from the Göksu Valley said that plums harvested in open fields are being sent to many provinces, primarily Ankara and Istanbul, and for export, they are shipped to Arab and European countries. Temur noted that the open-field harvest in the region initially started in a few gardens and full-scale harvesting will begin by the end of April.
Temur conveyed that they estimate approximately 8,500 tons of production this year across the district, with 6,500 decares in open fields and 800 decares under cover. He stated that plum production in the Göksu Valley is carried out in neighborhoods including Keben, Sabak, Bükdeğirmeni, Karakaya, Karahacılı, Evkafçiftliği, Kargıcak, İmambekirli, Ortaören, Kabasakallı, Atayurt, Atakent, and Taşucu.
Temur emphasized that the early plum variety grown in Silifke is in high demand by consumers due to its early ripening, appearance, and taste. He added that interest is continuously increasing due to the plum's profitability, and consequently, the production area is expanding.
Agricultural workers who come to the gardens early in the morning stated that by picking plums, they both contribute to their family budget and try to help their relatives who are producers.