The first cherry of the season sold for 800 lira per kilo in Manisa.

In Manisa, the first early cherry harvest, which is described as red gold, took place in the Sancaklıbozköy district. With the increase in air temperature, the cherries on the branches turned red.

Thus, the farmers who produced the first early cherries in the country experienced the abundance of the product. The farm workers, who entered the cherry trees with the first light of the morning, began to pick the red cherries on the branches.

The first harvest was made in the garden of the cherry growers Yavuz Tun. Expressing that the yield is good this year, the farmers said they are hopeful for the harvest, while the cherries, which will last for about 40 days, will take their place in the European and domestic markets, especially in Russia.

“WE TAKE AWAY THE FIRST CHERRY FROM THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE”

Metin Öztürk, Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, who participated in the first cherry harvest, stated that Manisa ranks second in Turkey as cherry growing area and gave the following statements:

“Manisa is an important center for cherries. Its most important feature is that it produces the first cherry in Turkey and the northern hemisphere. In terms of production, we are the fourth province in Turkey with 48,832 tons. It provides an important entry of foreign currency to our country in terms of exports by producing early cherries. There are countries to which we export, from countries of the European Union to Russia, from Dubai Qatar to China and South Korea”.

The president of the Aegean Association of Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Hayrettin Aircraft, said in a statement that his goal this year is to export 80,000 tons of cherries worth US$200 million.

SOLD AT AUCTION

In the first harvest, approximately 120 kilograms of cherries were collected. After the cherries were picked, they were taken to the cherry market and offered for sale at auction. For the first cherry of the season, a ceremony was held at the cherry market in Şehzadeler district, Sancaklıbozköy district.

The first cherry of the season, harvested in Manisa at the ceremony, was bought for a symbolic price of 800 TL per kilo. The cherry, which was put up for sale by producer Yavuz Tun, was bought by Hüseyin Çimen. It has been learned that the first product sold will go to Istanbul and Ankara.