Kiwi, which has started to be harvested in Sapanca district of Sakarya, makes the farmer smile with its high yield and price this year. Kiwi, which is cultivated in approximately 200 hectares of land in Sapanca, is among the most preferred fruits by farmers in recent years due to its low cost and easy maintenance.
Villagers who start harvesting in Yanıkkoy District place kiwifruit they collect from low trees in crates. Later, the kiwis, which are separated according to their size, are transported to trucks with the help of a tractor and then given to the domestic market.
This year, approximately 500 tons of harvest is expected in Sapanca kiwi. Kiwi is sold by farmers for ₺6-7 per kilogram.
‘’We can’t keep up with the domestic market.’’
Necati Basar, Chairman of Sapanca Chamber of Agriculture, stated that the kiwi is produced in 200 hectares of land in the district, Basar said:
‘’We expect 450-500 tons of yield this year. It is easy to maintain, a good alternative for Sapanca, good yield is obtained thanks to its climate. This figure may rise considerably in the coming years.’’
Resit Yuzucu, a kiwi producer also stated that they are trying to protect the kiwi from frost in the spring months and thus the yield is high. Yuzucu said:
‘’This year’s harvest is good, it will go exponentially in the following days. Kiwi loves moisture very much. We endure humid weather, but we get it back. That’s why I recommend kiwi to new gardens.’’
Noting that producers in Sapanca have recently turned to kiwi, Yuzucu said:
‘’30 years ago, green plum and cherry were famous, but we did not know kiwi. Plums are also good. In this environment, pears and citrus fruits are not grown. 20 years ago, we turned to apples. After the earthquake, 1-2 kiwi gardens were built, with advice, we turned to kiwi. Cherry, pear or plum, no matter which fruit and vegetable you tell, kiwi is ahead of all of them. Even children can collect it. No stairs or climbing, all the labour is at below. We do not have excessive costs. On the other hand, the harvest of cherries is very difficult.
Our merchants come and collect the goods from us. We still cannot keep up with the domestic market until now, we have not yet come to exporting point. I hope there will be exports in the coming days. We cannot give it out when we need it.’’
‘’Kiwi is the most suitable fruit in terms of care and cost.’’
70-year-old Mehmet Ali Ozyardimci also said:
‘’From now on, the situation shows that the kiwi fields will increase a little more. The costs of other fruits are a bit high, so our people are loaded on kiwi. Hopefully, our farmers will be happy.’’
Naciye Balumre (60) said that the harvesting work went well, and they worked with pleasure.
source: AA / translated by Melisa Karayusufoglu