09.05.2025 14:04
As the harvest season for the world-famous Sultaniye grape approaches in the Alaşehir district of Manisa, vine leaves have become an important source of income for grape producers. Producers are meeting their daily needs by selling the leaves they collect from the vineyards early in the morning to wholesalers. The leaves, sold to wholesalers for 70 TL per kilogram, can find buyers in the market for up to 200 TL.
Producers heading to the vineyards early in the morning bring the leaves they collect in sacks and baskets to the leaf purchasing centers. The leaves weighed here are placed in crates in bundles. Producers receive their payments in cash from the centers they call 'Yaprakbank'.
"WE SELL IT FOR 70 TL, THERE ARE NO EXPENSES"
While exports to countries such as Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates draw attention in the export of vine leaves, demand in the domestic market is increasing every year. Producers state that selling leaves is more profitable than selling grapes, saying, "The price of grapes is between 90-100 TL per kilo, but the price of leaves is 70 TL and there are almost no expenses. Therefore, selling leaves is more profitable."
GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION PRODUCT
Mustafa Seyhan, the President of the Alaşehir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that the geographical indication product, Alaşehir Vine Leaf, has attracted great interest both domestically and internationally with its veinless structure, silky texture, and flavor. Seyhan said, "Our Alaşehir vine leaf is this geographical indication product. With its nutritional value, a good market has formed worldwide, especially in Europe, Ukraine, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. We continue our efforts for the sustainability of this market. The vine leaf significantly contributes to the Alaşehir economy. It creates an important source of income for our producers before the grape harvest." he stated.
THEY RECEIVE CASH PAYMENT
Producers stated, "We wake up early in the morning and collect our leaves, we bring them to Yaprakbank. We receive our payment in cash and return home. We can meet our daily needs this way. One kilo of leaves is 70 TL. A good price earns more money than grapes. By earning daily before the harvest, we meet our needs," they expressed.
On the other hand, it was learned that vine leaves sold wholesale for 70 TL can find buyers for up to 200 TL in the markets of Manisa.