The harvest season has begun in the capital of bananas: One out of every two bananas consumed is from Mersin.

The harvest season has begun in Mersin, which is central to Turkey’s banana production and meets 50% of the nationwide demand. With bananas being sold in the range of 27-30 TL in the fields, the district of Anamur, known as the capital of banana production due to its high production density, provides significant contributions to both the Mersin and national economy.

In Anamur, the region’s main source of livelihood, the geographically registered ‘Anamur banana’ is grown for 12 months both under cover and in open fields, making a significant contribution to the national economy. Of the 950 thousand tons of bananas produced nationwide, approximately 500 thousand tons are harvested in Mersin from 70 thousand decares of land. In the city where one in every two bananas consumed in Turkey is grown, the highest production occurs in Anamur district. Banana, which is the source of livelihood for almost every family in the district, is cultivated on 37 thousand decares of land, generating an income of 4.5 billion TL for the region. The intense harvest season, which starts in October, continues until mid-March. Thanks to Anamur, which meets the country’s banana needs, imports are also prevented. Bananas, naturally grown with great effort in both covered and open fields, are first harvested in bunches and sent to processing facilities. Here, the bananas are weighed, separated into hands, washed, placed into crates, and then moved into ripening rooms. The bananas are kept in these ripening rooms for one week to ten days and are then sent by trucks to almost every city in the country, including Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Izmir, Konya, Kocaeli, Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep, and Van. Mersin Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan also participated in the new season’s harvest and cut bananas with the workers.

Workers stated that they send the bananas to consumers with care and effort, from cutting to packaging.

“Anamur, the Capital of Bananas”
Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan noted that Mersin ranks first in Turkey for the production of 10 products, saying, “Mersin ranks first in Turkey for bananas produced. Anamur district is the capital of bananas in Turkey. It is a product whose production has been increasing day by day in recent years. Thanks to past import incentives and the efforts and investments of our producers, we have now reached a point where we are almost able to export. We have reached a point of import substitution.”

Pehlivan also provided information about production, stating, “Approximately 950 thousand tons of bananas are produced in our country. 50% of this production is produced in Mersin. More than 50% of the bananas produced in Mersin are produced in Anamur district. Banana harvest starts in October and continues until March, providing continuity. Of course, our province’s climate and soil structure are highly suitable for the cultivation of these products.”

The economic contribution of bananas in Anamur is 4.5 billion TL.
Pehlivan pointed out that banana production is carried out on 37 thousand decares of land in Anamur, stating, “An income of approximately 4.5 billion TL is obtained. The products here are harvested while green, go through a certain process, and are distributed to every corner of our country. The taste, aroma, and peel characteristics of Anamur bananas also stand out. In this respect, it is a geographically registered product. Therefore, it is one of our emblematic products.”