Agricultural producers in Balya and Malatya report successful harvests

In Balya, Balıkesir, local authorities and producers are celebrating a successful harvest of aronia, a high-value antioxidant-rich fruit often referred to as a ‘superfruit’. The cultivation, supported by the District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, is being utilized to diversify agricultural production in the Kayalar and Değirmendere neighborhoods.

In Malatya, producer Mecit Yüksel is maintaining traditional beekeeping methods using 60-year-old clay hives inherited from his ancestors. Yüksel reported a harvest of approximately 2 tons of honey this season from a total of 310 hives. His traditional clay hive honey is being sold for 3,000 lira per kilogram. Yüksel noted challenges regarding rising operational costs and the prevalence of counterfeit honey in the market, advising consumers to purchase directly from reliable producers.