Kapya Pepper Harvest Begins in Bafra Plain, Expected to Generate 4 Billion Lira

September 10, 2026 · Tarım Pusulası

The kapya pepper harvest in Samsun's Bafra Plain has commenced, with an expected yield exceeding 126,000 tons and an anticipated economic contribution of 4 billion lira to the regional economy.

Harvest Season Begins in Bafra Plain

The kapya pepper harvest has officially started in the Bafra Plain of Samsun, one of Turkey's significant agricultural production centers. The harvest event, held in a field belonging to producer Yusuf Bayrak in Osmanbeyli Neighborhood, was attended by AK Party Samsun Deputy Çiğdem Karaaslan, Bafra Mayor Hamit Kılıç, and regional producers. Speaking at the program, AK Party Samsun Deputy Çiğdem Karaaslan stated that they view the plain as a research and application area in terms of agriculture, saying:

'We especially consider the Bafra Plain like a laboratory. And as you mentioned, while one crop is being harvested here, another is being planted, possessing very fertile lands like a 'yediveren' (ever-bearing) crop.'

Yield and Economic Contribution Expectations

Samsun Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Kemal Yılmaz, announced that approximately 98% of the province's kapya pepper production, which ranks fifth nationwide, takes place in Bafra. According to the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry data, a yield of 126,119 tons is projected from 31,767 decares across the province. Kemal Yılmaz noted that approximately 1,000 farmers in 35 neighborhoods of the district are involved in production, and they expect to obtain around 120-125,000 tons of product throughout the season. The expected harvest is targeted to contribute approximately 4 billion Turkish Lira to the provincial economy.

Extensive Marketing Network Across the Country

The high-quality kapya peppers harvested in the Bafra Plain are dispatched to markets across Turkey according to their intended use. According to information provided by Provincial Director Kemal Yılmaz, products collected for fresh consumption are delivered to metropolitan wholesale markets, primarily in Istanbul and Ankara. A portion of the industrial-grade products are sent to Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa provinces for red pepper flake production. Kapya peppers to be processed into preserves and paste are directed to processing facilities in Tokat, Bursa, and İzmir, thus being integrated into the national supply chain.

Value Addition Through Geographical Indication

Officials emphasized that the kapya peppers produced in the region possess superior qualities in terms of fleshiness, taste, and quality criteria, and have taken action to protect the product's value. Samsun Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Kemal Yılmaz, announced that a geographical indication application has been made under the leadership of the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality to increase the product's market power, and the process is ongoing. It is aimed to achieve a significant increase in producers' income levels and accelerate the product's branding process upon the successful completion of the registration procedures.

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