Araban melon harvest begins amid producer pricing concerns

The harvest of the famous autumn melon, locally known as ‘Araban Baklavası’ due to its sweet aroma and texture, has begun in the Araban district of Gaziantep. This second crop is planted in the Araban Plain following the harvest of garlic, wheat, and barley.

Despite the product's popularity in urban markets, producers are facing economic difficulties due to high production costs and significant price gaps. Hasan Altun, President of the Araban Chamber of Agriculture and Garlic Producers Union, reported that while the melon sells for 5 TL per kilogram at the field, prices rise to 20 TL in local district greengrocers and up to 30 TL in Gaziantep markets.

Altun stated that the current returns do not sufficiently compensate for the labor-intensive and costly production process. He has called on authorities to increase inspections and implement measures to ensure producers receive fair value for their work to protect agricultural sustainability.