With government support, Aronia plants distributed across many regions of Turkey have started to bear fruit.
Aronia Producers in Uludağ Demand an Integrated Facility: “We Struggle to Find a Market”
Farmers who started Aronia cultivation five years ago on the southeastern slopes of Uludağ and are now harvesting are calling for an integrated facility in the region to process, dry, and package the fruit of this plant known for its benefits against various diseases. The harvest is done by village women on the southeastern slopes of Uludağ, which resemble the Black Sea highlands. Aronia is known for its benefits for diabetes and hypertension patients and its cell-renewing properties.
Fevzi Baydur from İnegöl district in Bursa started growing Aronia, often called a super fruit, on a 10-12 decare area five years ago. Last year, Baydur harvested 5 tons of fruit and aims for 10 tons this year. However, he emphasized the difficulty in finding a market.
Baydur, who grows Aronia organically without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides, described the fruit as valuable but mentioned the harvesting challenges. He said: "Although the fruit is very valuable, we face difficulties during the harvest. We are trying to sell it on our own. These saplings were distributed by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Agriculture Inc. five years ago. Hopefully, a market will be found and the villagers will be relieved." Baydur noted that Aronia is beneficial for hypertension and diabetes patients and starts bearing fruit after three years: "Last year, we harvested 4,900 kilograms of Aronia from 10 decares. This year, we hope to collect 10 tons."
"Product Waiting on the Tree Due to Market Issues"
Selamettin Demirtaş, who began Aronia production with 2,000 saplings on 10 decares of land in 2022, stated: "It is harvest time now. Some of the harvested products are in the freezer, some are waiting to be sold. Due to the lack of a market, some are still on the tree."
Demirtaş noted that Aronia is a fruit native to North America and was brought to Turkey in 2012 by Yalova Atatürk Research and Culture Center, with two developed varieties now registered. He emphasized that Aronia has the highest antioxidant value among fruits and provides positive effects for diabetes, heart patients, and cancer sufferers. He recommended consuming about two handfuls daily.
"Facility Needed for Value-Added Products"
Demirtaş pointed out the need for facilities to process Aronia into concentrates or dried forms, highlighting a lack of such facilities in the region: "We face marketing difficulties. However, we will not give up. With the support of our state officials, if a facility is established, we can market this product to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries like in Europe."
Mustafa Ok, the headman of Tahtaköprü Neighborhood, mentioned that they are working with Bursa Metropolitan Municipality and the Agricultural Chamber to solve the market issue: "Aronia is a very valuable product. With state support, we can make this product more value-added and contribute to the economy."
Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Mustafa Bozbey stated that they would not let the producers suffer and that if necessary, they would purchase all Aronia through Agriculture Inc. and could invest in a facility for value-added production in the region.