THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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In Mersin, one of Turkey’s leading fresh fruit and vegetable production centres, dragon fruit catches 10 to 15 liras per unit just after being harvested.
In addition to bananas and strawberries, many tropical fruits such as kiwi, avocado and mango are grown in the province and interest in dragon fruit production has also increased.
Also called “Pitaya” and “Dragon Fruit”, the kilogram of this fruit is sold for 50 liras.
Mersin Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Arif Abalı stated that dragon fruit production has increased in the province and said, “The number of producers and production areas of dragon fruit is increasing every year.”
Abalı added, “In 2019, 38 growers produced dragon fruit on 114 decares of land throughout the province, while 44 producers produced on 119 decares in 2020. The fruit is mostly grown in Taurus, Mediterranean, Silifke, Erdemli and Tarsus districts.”
Emphasizing that the fruit stands out due to many factors, Abalı explained, “The high yield from the production area, the easy cultivation, the long shelf life, the importance of this fruit in terms of nutrition and health and the high prices in the market make dragon fruit cultivation attractive. With the spread of dragon fruit cultivation, domestic consumption demand will be met and also exported to European countries.”
