Kozan begins persimmon harvest with increased yields

The persimmon harvest has commenced in the Kozan district of Adana, Turkey, where approximately 20,000 decares of land are dedicated to the crop. Producers are reporting a significant increase in productivity, with yields expected to rise by 60 to 70 percent compared to last year. Average yields are projected to be between 1.5 and 2 tons per decare.

Kozan serves as a major hub for the industry, supplying roughly 20 percent of Turkey's fresh persimmons and 50 percent of its dried persimmons. Farmers are producing two main varieties: the Rojo Brillante, which is primarily consumed fresh, and the local Hachiya variety, which is used for drying.

With the recent establishment of local drying facilities, the production of dried persimmons has increased, allowing for wider international export. Current orchard prices range from 35 to 40 lira per kilogram for Rojo Brillante and 15 to 30 lira for the local variety.