01.02.2025 12:40
Laurel leaves, used in the pharmaceutical, food, chemical, dye, and cosmetic industries, have become a source of livelihood for the forest villagers in the Akseki district of Antalya. This year, 300 tons of laurel leaves have been harvested and are being exported to the United States and European countries.
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In the Sinanhoca neighborhood of Akseki, the harvesting of bay leaves, which takes place for about 4 weeks every year in January-February, provides significant income for approximately 100 families.
HARVESTING IS DONE EVERY 3 YEARS
With permission from the Akseki Forest Management Directorate, the forested area of approximately 3,000 acres is divided into 3 parts, and bay trees that grow naturally within the village boundaries are harvested every 3 years. During the harvest season, children and adults leave their homes at dawn. Villagers collect bay leaves from the trees on steep slopes and between rocks, loading the bags of bay leaves onto tractor trailers, which are then stacked in the village square.
THEY GENERATE AN INCOME OF 50 THOUSAND LIRA
Villagers bring the bay leaves they collect to the village square. Various companies from Izmir purchase the bay leaves, which are weighed in the square, at a price of 19.30 lira per kilogram and take them to Izmir for processing. Bay leaves or processed products, which are especially used in the pharmaceutical, food, chemical, dye, and cosmetic industries, are exported to America and European countries. During this time of year, the majority of villagers are engaged in bay cutting. A family of 5 earns an average income of 50 thousand lira.
"THIS YEAR, A RECORD OF 300 TONS WAS BROKEN"
Sinanhoca Neighborhood Headman Erol Büyükarslan stated that the quality ratio of the bay trees growing in this forest area is high. He mentioned that they reached the highest yield this season compared to previous years, collecting 300 tons of bay leaves, which is an important source of income for the villagers. Büyükarslan said, "We sold it at a very good price this year, at 19 lira and 30 kuruş per kilogram. The villagers earned a very good income. After being processed by purchasing companies, bay leaves are exported abroad, contributing significantly to the economy of the country and the district."
COLLECTED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE MANAGEMENT DIRECTORATE
Officials from the Akseki Forest Management Directorate stated that the special afforestation areas belonging to the municipality were put under protection in 1987 and emphasized that bay cutting is carried out in the area divided into 3 regions. They expressed that the product used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries is also an important source of income for the local residents, and that bay leaves are collected under the supervision of the management directorates. Hasan Hüseyin Arslan, who contributes to the family budget by cutting bay leaves, said that they cut bay leaves in rotation every year and that they all participate in the cutting as villagers, adding that this year they earned significantly more than in previous years.
"WE SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTE TO OUR FAMILY BUDGET"
Fatma Büyükarslan stated that bay leaves are their biggest source of income. She explained that they cut bay leaves in various sections every 3 years, saying, "Bay leaves are the most important source of income for our villagers. Traders come to our feet to buy the bay leaves we cut. We cut about a ton of bay leaves on average per day. We significantly contribute to our family budget."
Hasan Arslan mentioned that they cut for about 15 days depending on the weather conditions, saying, "We cut as a family with my wife and children. Cutting bay leaves is quite difficult. However, it greatly contributes to our family budget. About 100 families earn their living from bay cutting."
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