Koprubasi, one of the smallest districts in Manisa (Turkey), with a population of only 13,000 people has generated a significant amount of extra revenue through strawberry production. Strawberries are grown year-round, which not only benefits the district, but Turkey as a whole. The district started to become well-known for its strawberries, which were grown both in the fields and in greenhouses.
District Head Official for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Alptekin Sagiroglu: “We grow strawberries 12 months of the year. Our strawberries are grown in 650,000 square feet of greenhouses in addition to the open fields of 4.3 million square feet. On average we grow 3 tons of strawberries per 11,000 square feet annually and in total we grow around 10,000 tons in a year. This production generates a revenue of 7.5 million USD to the district. Strawberries from the greenhouse are sold between 1.75 and 2.50 USD per kg at wholesaler level, and that price can go up to 3.75 USD level at the retailers.
"Growing strawberries takes a lot of effort and care, but it is preferable because it yields favorable returns to the growers. You have to be at the production area all the time. We plant the seeds in August, then you have different processes following that, such as pruning, irrigation, and soil processing. Then starting from mid-April, we start harvesting products, which continues up until the start of July. Additionally we have year-round production in greenhouses. The products are usually sent to Istanbul and Izmir, which represents the biggest consumer markets in Turkey. Furthermore, exporting companies also purchase strawberries from us to export to Russia. The strawberries from the open fields are sold around 0.75 USD per kg, but this figure can rise up to 1.50 USD per kg when exported."
Chairman of District Chamber of Agriculture Mehmet Celik: “Now when you mention strawberries, Koprubasi is the first name that pops into people’s minds. This production has started approximately 18 years ago with 3-5 entrepreneurs and right now 500 farmers are making a living out of this product. You can find strawberries here in every time of the year. Of course the months of April, May, June and July are the high season for production. Our growers have learned over the years how to grow good quality products, and they are very happy growing this particular product. It brings them good returns, to the delight of our farmers."
Greenhouse strawberry grower Rahim Ozcan: “As a greenhouse grower, I have products available all year. I have been in strawberry production for 10 years and I have been growing them in my greenhouses in the last 3 years. I have been extremely pleased with the prices and they get even better when we are exporting.”
Source: www.hurriyet.com.tr