The loquat harvest has begun in Alanya

The loquat harvest has begun in Alanya. The fruit, which was sold for 180–200 TL in recent weeks, has dropped to 80–100 TL as the weather warms up. The President of the Alanya Wholesale Market Commission Agents Association, Adem Kaya, stated that production is decreasing each year due to loquat orchards being replaced by construction projects.

The harvest of loquats, also known as Maltese plum or medlar, has started in Alanya. This fruit, which received a geographical indication under the name “Alanya Loquat” in 2018, is one of the region’s important agricultural products. The harvest lasts for two months, after which the loquats are sorted by quality and packaged for the domestic market.

Adem Kaya, President of the Alanya Wholesale Market Commission Agents Association, noted that Maltese plum prices were between 180–200 TL in recent weeks. However, as the weather warmed up and production increased, prices have now fallen to 80–100 TL. Kaya also pointed out that loquat production in Alanya has been declining in recent years. “For example, compared to ten years ago, only a quarter of the previous production volume remains. The main reason for this is the conversion of loquat orchards into construction sites,” he stated.