24.06.2026 10:11
Harvest has begun for Malatya's registered "dalbastı" cherry. While demand for the cherry, famous for its aroma and fetching between 70 and 120 TL per kilogram, increases daily, producers complain that they cannot find workers despite offering a daily wage of 3,000 TL. Root weevil pests seen in the orchards also stand out as another major issue for growers.
Harvest season has begun for the geographically indicated dalbastı cherry in Yeşilyurt district. With its unique aroma, the dalbastı cherry, considered among Turkey's most special cherry varieties, finds buyers at prices ranging from 70 to 120 TL per kilogram, while producers stated that despite high demand, they cannot find workers even with a daily wage of 3,000 TL.
In Gündüzbey neighborhood, where the harvest continues, producers said they are satisfied with the product quality this year, but the increasing impact of root worm pests in orchards and high labor costs are putting producers in a difficult situation. Mehmet Mesut Toros, who has been producing cherries in the region for years, stated that the appearance and aroma of dalbastı cherries attract great interest from consumers. Noting that the root worm problem has become widespread in orchards in recent years, Toros said, "This pest eats the roots of trees, causing them to dry out. It has started to appear in almost every orchard in Gündüzbey. In addition, our biggest problem is not being able to find workers. Today, a worker coming to pick cherries wants 3,000 lira per day. With food and other expenses, the cost approaches 4,000 lira. Despite this, we cannot find qualified workers."
"NO CHERRY MATCHES THE AROMA OF GÜNDEZBEY CHERRY"
Producer Orhan Sarıhan stated that the Gündüzbey dalbastı cherry stands out from its counterparts with its aroma, saying, "I have eaten cherries from other regions, but no cherry matches the aroma of the Gündüzbey cherry. Although the yield is high this year, the fruit size is not at the desired level, but the product has lost none of its flavor."
"DEMAND IS QUITE HIGH"
Stating that producers are trying to earn more income by selling directly to consumers, Sarıhan said, "In retail sales, the kilogram price varies between 100 and 120 lira. When given to wholesale markets or stores, the price drops to 70-80 lira. Demand is quite high. Buyers come from different provinces of Turkey. Products that do not meet the caliber requirement cannot be sold at their value. We pay between 2,500 and 3,000 lira per day to workers. Despite this, we cannot find workers."