Grape harvest has begun in Sarıgöl

Grape harvesting has begun in the Sarıgöl district of Manisa. Before July 15, the harvest of early grape varieties such as Superiol and Trakya İlkeren is continuing in the district, and due to the very hot weather, the early harvest of Seedless Sultaniye grapes in rural areas has occurred.

In Sarıgöl and its surroundings, agricultural workers enter the vineyards early in the morning, loading the grapes they have picked onto trucks to send to markets in major cities.

In the Sarıgöl Plain, the price of Superiol grapes in the vineyard varies between 25-50 lira per kilo depending on the quality, while it has been reported that Seedless Sultaniye grapes from rural vineyards are being purchased at prices between 25-45 lira per kilo, also depending on quality.

İlyas Karadağ, a grape producer from Emcelli neighborhood in Sarıgöl, stated that he sells his Superiol grapes for 50 lira per kilo.

Ali İhsan Ülgen, the president of the Sarıgöl Chamber of Agriculture, expressed that the weather conditions have led to the ripening of Sultaniye grapes and other types 20 days earlier this year, saying, “In previous years, the harvest of Sultaniye grapes would start after August 20. This year, sales have begun for grapes that have ripened 20 days earlier. There are both domestic market and export grapes in our district. Currently, Sultaniye grapes are being cut from the vineyard at prices between 25-35 lira. I warn our grape producers. Do not sell grapes openly as they may dry out in the hot weather. This year, prices for dried grapes will be good because there are no stocks from previous years. Even traders are buying last year’s dried grapes for 125-150 lira per kilo. I repeat, do not sell open grapes, let them dry. The grapes in closed areas are of high quality. Vineyard owners are closely monitoring the grape bunches every day. Therefore, try to sell our grapes at their true value. Buy in cash so that you do not face the hardships experienced in previous years.”