Strawberry producer went to the field

Especially due to the mild climate in Aydın, the cost of winter strawberry production is mentioned to be lower compared to other provinces, while the yield is higher. Farmers stated that the biggest challenge in the agricultural sector is the difficulty of finding labor.

With the widespread cultivation of covered vegetable and fruit production, winter strawberry cultivation has also become more common in Aydın. Preparations for winter strawberry cultivation have started, especially in Sultanhisar and Köşk districts of Aydın, as well as in Koçarlı, Efeler, and Yenipazar districts. Strawberries planted in November are expected to bear fruit in March.

In Aydın, where strawberry production has been increasing every year, producers who had a happy 2023 are already preparing for 2024. Spending about a month preparing seedlings, farmers raced against time to plant strawberry seedlings in the soil. In the Büyük Menderes Plain, where an average of 65-70 thousand tons of strawberries are produced annually, the yield is expected to increase further this year if the seasonal conditions proceed normally.

With approximately 15 thousand hectares of strawberry production in Aydın, winter strawberries are planted in November and harvested in March. Summer strawberries, on the other hand, are planted in the spring and harvested as the weather warms up in summer.

Workers in Aydın mentioned that there is work in the agriculture sector for 12 months for those who want to work, but the biggest problem in the sector is the lack of people willing to work. Coming to the fields early every morning, farmers plant strawberry seedlings in areas prepared with special methods and covered with soil. Once the seedlings have sprouted, the fields where strawberries are planted are transformed into greenhouses to protect them from the cold in winter, ensuring fruit production.