Trakya İlkeren grape harvest begins, boosting producer income since 1991

The harvest of the Trakya İlkeren grape variety has begun in Turkey's Tekirdağ region, a grape that has been a source of income for producers since its development in 1991.

Workers meticulously pick the grapes from the vineyards belonging to the Tekirdağ Viticulture Research Institute in the early morning hours. The harvested grapes are then transported by tractor to sales points in the city center.

Mehmet Ali Kiracı, Director of the Tekirdağ Viticulture Research Institute, stated that Trakya İlkeren was introduced to the country's viticulture in 1991 as a result of the institute's breeding efforts. Kiracı highlighted the variety's early-ripening characteristic, noting that harvesting it before other varieties increases its market value.

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Trakya İlkeren, which was introduced to our country's viticulture in 1991 as a result of our institute's breeding efforts. It provides high earnings to our producers due to its very early ripening. It is a black, seeded variety with crisp flesh and high table quality.

Ali İzzet Torçuk, a senior agricultural engineer at the institute, explained that the grape's name reflects its early-ripening nature. He described Trakya İlkeren as an important variety due to its table quality and economic value. "It is a black, seeded variety with crisp flesh and high table quality," Torçuk said. He added that it is widely cultivated across the country and, when grown in greenhouses in the Mediterranean region, is exported abroad in May, adding value to the national economy.

Torçuk anticipates approximately 40 tons of produce from the 20-decare area within the institute this year. The harvest of the Trakya İlkeren grape is expected to continue for about two weeks.

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Its early ripening feature makes it stand out, and harvesting the product before other varieties increases its market value.