In the field, it's 39 liras, and at the market, it's 199 liras

This year, the first cherry harvest, which started in Kemalpaşa district of İzmir, was followed by Bilecik. The wholesale price of cherries ranged from 35 to 45 liras as they reached the Istanbul markets, while they were seen being sold for 199 liras at a chain supermarket.

The first harvest of cherries, known as 'erkenci' from the famous cherry-producing Küre Village in Bilecik, is taking place. Villagers mentioned that while cherries were priced between 35 and 45 liras locally, they were sold for up to 70 liras in markets in Söğüt and Bilecik, and up to 120 liras in Istanbul. It was also observed that cherries were sold for 199 liras at a chain supermarket.

"This year prices are low, varying according to cherry type"

Cherry producer Nurcan Aşık explained that they started harvesting about a week ago and stated, "We call this type 'Black Dwarf'. Later, Napoleon cherries will be produced in this region. This year prices are low, ranging from 30 to 45 liras per kilogram depending on the type of cherry. We sell them wholesale at the market. They go to cities like Istanbul and Ankara."

"They buy these cherries for 45 liras here, in Istanbul, they're sold for 200 TL"

Another cherry producer, Fatih Turan, said he found buyers for his cherries at Küre Market for 45 liras, adding, "They buy these cherries for 45 liras here, in Istanbul, they're sold for 200 TL. We're unhappy about this. Why do intermediaries earn more than us? We work hard for a year, grow the best cherries. This is unfair; we need to prevent this."

"Pazarcı (market traders) are the ones making money here"

Cherry buyer Ramazan Palacıoğlu at Küre Village Market pointed out the price difference between buyers and sellers, saying, "The price for this is 35 liras. We evaluate it according to its softness or hardness. They go to Kadıköy, Istanbul, Bayrampaşa. The market traders are the ones making money from this. For example, we sell it for 35 liras, and they sell it for 50 liras there, and market traders make additional profits. The market traders make money."

"The second earliest cherry in Turkey"

Village Headman Eyüp Seylan stated, "In Turkey, cherries first come out in İzmir Kemalpaşa. About a week later, cherries come out in our village. It's the second earliest cherry in Turkey. The region has a microclimate. Cherry production is carried out in an area of ​​approximately 3 thousand decares in our region. We have an average yield expectation of about 500-600 tons. The yield is a bit low this year. Since the yield is low, we cannot export. Our cherries go to the domestic market. They are sold mainly at the Istanbul, Bayrampaşa, and Kadıköy markets as well as at local markets. The price varies between 35 and 50 liras per kilogram. We price them according to their type and quality. The market is free."

Meanwhile, the fact that cherries were priced at 199 liras at a chain supermarket in Bilecik drew attention.