Onion harvest in the Bafra Plain

The leek harvest continues in the Bafra Plain of Samsun. Farmers stated that the yield in leeks is good, but they are having difficulty selling their products due to market problems.

The harvest of leeks, which are planted on an area of ​​4 thousand hectares in the Bafra Plain where different agricultural products are grown, continues. In the ongoing harvest in the Karaburç neighborhood of Bafra, leeks are cut, packaged, and made ready for sale. The price of leeks, which was between 5 and 7 TL per kilogram last year, remained the same this year. Producers who export leeks to many countries, especially Turkey, said that they are experiencing a market shortage in Turkey, stating that people used to prefer leeks more.

Leek producer İlkay Karasu said, "Generally, in our region, in winter, vegetables such as leeks, cabbage, and white cabbage are produced, and in summer, melons, watermelons, and rice are produced. This year, costs have increased in leeks, but prices are not as expected. Sales are low. The greengrocers do not buy efficient goods from us. They cannot sell it to the opposite side. This time, when we cannot sell it, it affects us. Leeks have a lot of labor, and the cost is high. It goes through 4-5 processes including harvesting, packaging, and tying. It's laborious, but we couldn't find the prices we hoped for. Prices vary between 5 and 7 TL. It doesn't match day by day. There is no specific price. Last year it was 5 TL. This year is between 5 and 7 TL."

Karasu, stating that young people do not eat leeks, said, "The new generation does not eat leeks. It used to sell more in the past. Our yield is good, but we have a market problem. Sometimes you take it to the market, sometimes you sell it, sometimes you can't sell it. The greengrocer doesn't come anymore."