Lemons, whose harvest has started in the town of Erdemli in Mersin, where 65% of Turkey’s lemon needs are met, are being exported to Russia, Ukraine, Arab, and Balkan countries. This season, producers announced that they are expecting a lemon harvest of 400 thousand tons from the town. The harvest of lemons permitted for export by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Erdemli, Mersin, started from September 20th.
In Erdemli, which has lemon warehouses, the first type of lemon to ripen this season, Meyer lemons with their color, smell, taste, and aroma, are starting their journey for export by being picked from the tree. Erdemli Chamber of Agriculture Chairman, Rasim Şahin, expressed their happiness about the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry allowing lemon exports after September 20th.
Speaking about the 70 thousand acres of land dedicated to lemon cultivation in their district, Şahin said, “We are expecting a lemon harvest of 400 thousand tons from our town this season.” He mentioned that lemon is the most important source of income. Şahin stated that export of lemons to many countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Arab countries, and Balkan countries, has begun with the opening of the export route, wishing all producers and traders a fruitful season.
Selçuk Danacı, a lemon exporter in Erdemli, said, “We are experiencing the joy of starting the lemon harvest. In previous years, lemons were not profitable due to export problems. Now, the export route of our lemons has opened. We are buying Interdonat type lemons at 15 lira per kilo from the producers. Prices have increased by 50% compared to last year.” Lemon producer Fatma Aslan in Erdemli also stated, “We have grown our lemons and now it’s harvest time. Today we started the harvest. With the beginning of exports, our lemons are now entering crates. Growing lemons is a costly and labor-intensive process. This year, our lemons will not stay on the tree. Thankfully, there are buyers and sellers. I wish all lemon producers and traders a great season.”