Turkish Saimbeyli Cherries Dried for Winter Boost Household Income

In the high‑altitude village of Saimbeyli, cherry growers harvest the locally prized Saimbeyli and white cherries at prices ranging from 60 to 100 Turkish lira per kilogram. Because the season’s yield was unusually high, many cherries cannot be sold fresh. Farmers preserve the surplus by soaking the fruits in hot water and drying them in the sun for about a week, producing a crunchy winter snack that sells for roughly 100 lira per kilogram.

Residents such as Bahar Yıldızhan and Halime Kaytancı say the dried cherries have become popular not only in Saimbeyli but also in nearby provinces, with requests coming from Mersin, Adana and Ankara. The practice reduces waste, provides an extra source of income for households, and has gained a steady consumer base during the colder months.