Watermelon harvest continues with great excitement in Manisa’s Salihli district. This year, after important regions such as Adana, Antalya and Aydın, watermelon season has opened in Manisa. The most ambitious watermelons of the region are grown in the production that takes place in Yağbasan, Karasavcı and Poyrazdamı villages of Salihli.
President of Salihli Chamber of Agriculture: “We are ambitious until Adana”
Salihli Chamber of Agriculture President Cem Yalvaç, in his statement regarding watermelon production in the region, said, “The harvest of watermelon, our most popular product, has started before the Eid. Salihli watermelon differs from other watermelon with its aroma, size and taste . We are as assertive as Adana’s famous watermelon. The prices in the field are currently 10%.” “It hovers around the lira.” he said he
Watermelon producers state that they are having difficulty coping with increasing costs. Producers state that the saplings purchased for 7.5-8 lira last year have increased to 19 lira this year, and emphasize that the increase in fertilizer costs also negatively affects profitability.
| last year | Now |
|---|---|
| Watermelon Sapling: 7.5-8 pounds | Watermelon Sapling: 19 lira |
| Fertilizer: 600-700 lira | Fertilizer: 1600-1700 lira |
Producers state that the price of watermelon from the field is between 10-12 lira, but it is sold on the stalls for 15-20 lira. Stating that this situation causes intermediaries to earn more profits, producers complain about the narrow profit margin.
