The harvest of the famous grapes known for their flavor has begun.

The first harvest of grapes produced with the support given to farmers in Kocaeli has begun. The grapes, known for their unique taste and flavor, have also brought joy to the producers.

With the support of Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, grape varieties such as Osmanbey, Çavuş, Kınalı Yapıncak, and Balbal are being cultivated in Izmit Kulfallı, Arızlı, and Akpınar. Producers benefiting from fertilizer and diesel support have started the harvesting labor, which is expected to last for 1.5 months, for the ripened grapes. The first grape harvest, conducted in the vineyard belonging to Yüksek Oğuz in Kulfallı, was attended by Numan Balaban, Deputy Secretary General of Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, Mustafa Dursun, Head of the Muhtarlık İşleri Department, Kulfallı Neighborhood Muhtar Yüksel Oğuz, Arızlı Neighborhood Muhtar Ruhan Menteş, Akpınar Neighborhood Muhtar Kenan Obuz, and grape growers. Balaban and the accompanying officials conducted the first grape harvest of the season. The harvested grape bunches were filled into baskets and later loaded onto tractors and pickups. After the harvest, the collected grapes were served to the participants and citizens. The grape growers expressed their satisfaction with this year’s grape yield and thanked the Metropolitan Municipality for their agricultural support.

“There is a high demand for grapes”

Grape grower and Kulfallı Neighborhood Muhtar Yüksel Oğuz stated that this year’s grape yield has been productive and abundant. He mentioned that they first harvested the Çavuş grapes and then sequentially collected Balbal, Kınalı Yapıncak, and Osmanbey grapes. Oğuz said, “When we talk about grapes in Kocaeli, Kulfallı, Arızlı, and Akpınar grapes come to mind. Grape cultivation has been done here for a very long time. We are continuing the legacy passed down from our grandparents. God willing, our youth will continue it as well. There is a high demand for grapes. Thanks to the diesel and fertilizer support from Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, we have grown our grapes. We thank our President Tahir Büyükakın very much. We expect the continuation of their support.”

“Our farmers are satisfied with the harvest”

Arızlı Neighborhood Muhtar Ruhan Menteş stated that Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tahir Büyükakın provides the necessary support for farmers to produce, saying, “I thank him on behalf of all producers. We have started the first harvest of our grapes. Our grapes are beautiful and abundant. We have no problems with sales. Our farmers are satisfied with the harvest. Grape cultivation has a long history in this region. We have carried it to this day. Our local and organic grapes can be consumed comfortably by our people. We thank our president for his support.”

“We continue to produce”

Akpınar Neighborhood Muhtar Kenan Obuz emphasized that the table grapes they grow are among the most beautiful grapes in Turkey, stating, “Our grapes and their leaves are of high quality. They are very thin and are preferred for dolma. Our harvest will continue for 1.5 months, and then there will be grape picking. We will make molasses. We are also engaged in greenhouse work. We continue to produce with the agricultural support of the Metropolitan Municipality. We thank our president Tahir Büyükakın for not withholding his support.”