Eşme's registered delicacy: High yields pull prices down

Plums from Eşme, Turkey, are now available in markets across the country, with harvests starting in late May and extending into August for some varieties. This year's abundant crop has delighted producers, leading to a significant drop in prices compared to last year.

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The Kastarca plum is juicier and sweeter.

Workers like Şendoğan Atik, who has been harvesting plums in the region for eight years, note that the harvest schedule is weather-dependent. While it typically begins around May 20, colder conditions can delay the start to early June. The picking season usually concludes by the end of July, though some hardier types, such as the "August Pasha" plum, can last longer.

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We send them to most of the 81 provinces, but generally Istanbul, Malatya, and Adana prefer them more.

Atik highlighted the "Kastarca" variety as the sweetest plum grown in the region, describing it as juicier and sweeter than the Havran (sour) and Pasha varieties. Eşme plums are known for their distinct flavor and appearance, primarily due to their sweetness and juiciness. The region supplies plums to most of Turkey's 81 provinces, with Istanbul, Malatya, and Adana being the primary consumers.

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There is a lot of product in the gardens this year, and because the yield is high, prices are currently between 70 and 90 lira.

Despite expectations of prices around 140 lira, the high yield has pushed prices down to 70-90 lira per kilogram. Atik anticipates the season will close around 110-115 lira, a notable decrease from last year's 150-200 lira range.

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We expected a price of around 140 lira for this season, but due to the abundance of the crop, it won't be that much.