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In Antalya province, which makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy with its agricultural sector, blueberry, whose production area has expanded with the soilless farming method in pots, is also exported to different countries.
Blueberry, whose homeland is North America and which can be produced in the Black Sea region for many years, has started to be produced in pots with soilless farming method in greenhouses and fields in Antalya region in recent years.
Since it is a delicate fruit, the product, which is carefully harvested and cared for, is packaged in certain weights. Blueberry, whose production areas are expanding rapidly due to its high added value, is exported to different countries, especially Russia, Europe and Far East countries, as well as the domestic market.
The fruit, which draws attention with its low sugar content and antioxidant properties, provides income to the workers working in the agricultural sector as well as the investments of large companies.
“Growers turn to this crop while its income is high”
Antalya Agriculture and Forestry Director Gökhan Karaca told Anadolu Agency (AA) that blueberry, which has been grown only in the Black Sea region for many years in Türkiye, started to be produced intensively in Antalya since 2020.
Explaining that it is grown in pots because the soil structure is not suitable, Karaca said, “Blueberry is a new fruit, the demand is increasing rapidly in the world and in our country due to its antioxidant properties and low sugar content. The production amount is increasing accordingly. It has increased 13 times and reached 6 thousand 600 decares, and the production amount has reached 4 thousand 300 tonnes.”
Karaca also pointed out that one third of the blueberry in the country is produced in Antalya region and stated that most of the production in the province goes to export.
Noting that higher income is obtained from the unit area, Karaca added, “When the income is high, producers turn to this product. Some companies invest in large areas. The high income and added value lead the investor to this product. It is difficult to grow in Anatolian soils because it likes acidic soils, so it is grown in pots.”
