Sultaniye Grape Harvest Begins Early in Manisa
· NTV Ekonomi
As the 2026 harvest season commences in Manisa, Turkey's dried grape export hub, extreme heat is dampening yield expectations due to berry shriveling.
Harvesting Begins in the Gediz Plain
In Manisa, which single-handedly meets approximately 90% of Turkey's dried grape exports, the 2026 season's Sultaniye seedless grape harvest has officially commenced. Agricultural workers, entering the vineyards in the early morning hours across the Gediz Plain, are carefully cutting ripe bunches and filling them into baskets. As the collected grapes are transported by tractors to drying areas, the vineyards are experiencing significant activity with the start of the season. Producer Serhat Nacak expressed that the harvest began early this year, stating:
"We started the grape harvest early this year. We expect a slight decrease in yield due to berry shriveling."
Sun-Drying and Export Process
The grapes brought from the vineyards to the exhibition areas are washed with a special mixture of water, potassium carbonate, and olive oil to accelerate the drying process and preserve quality. The prepared bunches are then spread out on large exhibition grounds in the plain and left to dry under the scorching sun for about a week. While intensive work is underway in the exhibition areas, the dried crops are sent to processing facilities. Here, the dried grapes are meticulously sorted and packaged before being exported to markets worldwide, primarily to European Union countries and Russia.
Yield Expectations and Price Demands
Aydoğan Okur, Chairman of the Saruhanlı Chamber of Agriculture, commented on the impact of high temperatures on yield:
"It was said that the yield would be high this year. However, due to the high temperatures experienced in recent days, berry shriveling has occurred in some of our vineyards. This situation seems to be causing some difficulties in both the harvest and the yield. We are waiting for our state and the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) to start purchasing and announce the price."
Aydoğan Okur continued his assessment regarding market expectations and the role of the Turkish Grain Board:
"It is said that the Turkish Grain Board will purchase approximately 170 thousand tons. This would ease our situation. A yield of around 300-310 thousand tons is expected this year. We expect a price of at least 120 Lira for 7-8 grade grapes, 130-140 Lira for 8-9 grade, and around 150 Lira for 10 grade."