Pumpkin producers are looking for new countries for export
Producers, who usually sell pumpkins for 3 to 5 lira, are currently unable to export and have started feeding the pumpkins to their animals instead of selling them. They are seeking alternative countries for export.
In Kocaoluk neighborhood of Silifke district in Mersin, the harvest season for products like pumpkins, beans, cauliflower, cabbage, and tomatoes has begun. However, producers are facing difficulties as the export to Israel has been disrupted due to the ongoing conflict in Palestine. With pumpkins priced between 3 and 5 lira and no buyers in sight, the produce remains unsold.
Producers are calling for alternative sales channels.
The pumpkins left in the fields are being used as animal feed.
Producer Mehmet İmir said, “I oversee 20 growers. We start the season with pumpkins. Right now, pumpkins are not sold in Mersin markets. We either load them here or give them to animals. We used to set the price at five lira for farmers. Since our trader friends are losing money, everyone is dropping their prices. We are feeding the pumpkins to animals. Our main problem is the lack of export. Our products are generally exported to Israel. Due to the war with Israel, we are facing difficulties. If the export does not resume, these goods will not sell in the domestic market. There are three thousand acres of vegetables in this village alone. If pumpkins are like this today, the same will happen with cauliflower and tomatoes tomorrow. I have 110 acres of land and expect an average of one thousand tons of produce.”
Fethi Yüksel stated, “Since our pumpkins are worthless, we are feeding them to animals. We are cutting them and giving them to our animals to at least meet their feed needs.”
Halil Şahin, President of the Silifke Kocaoluk Irrigation Cooperative, said, “Our pumpkins cannot be sold. We cut them and leave them in the fields. We give the rest to animals as feed. During this period without export, the produce does not fetch any money.”
Kemal Gezer, President of the Silifke Chamber of Agriculture, noted that if exports resume, producers will be able to breathe easier.
