“Banana production has been increasing rapidly in the city over the last 5 years. Banana production areas have increased by 75 % in this period whereas the production volume has increased by 177 %", according to Antalya City Agricultural Official Mustafa Ozen.
"In 2002, 63,000 tons of bananas were grown on an acreage of 2,000 hectares whereas right now 175,000 tons of bananas are grown on 3,500 hectares.
"A lot growers are moving to greenhouse production in recent years, and both the production numbers and quality have improved drastically due to this reason. Previously growers were producing bananas only in open field production, but the transition to greenhouse production did wonders in terms of productivity and quality.
"Banana greenhouse production was only on 130 hectares in 2012 in Antalya, whereas currently there are 800 hectares of banana greenhouses. Main banana production regions in the city are Manavgat, Kepez and Aksu districts."
Source: Haberturk