Antalya’s greenhouse grown seedless watermelons are being sold to hypermarkets and hotels, with prices beginning at 2.5 TL (USD 0.85) a kilo and weights ranging between 5-7 kg.
‘’We’ve grown the earliest watermelons in Turkey,’’ explains grower Veli Cetin. ‘’Our watermelons are tasty without the black seeds. Prices are around 2.5TL (USD 0.85) a kilo and watermelons are distributed to hotels and hypermarkets.’’
‘’The watermelons could have been earlier but we waited for them to ripen more,’’ Cetin stated, adding that they are expecting two tons of watermelons per acre. According to Cetin the price falls by 10 kurus a day and will drop more in June. Hence the aim is to grow the earliest fruits by planting in January and growing under cover.
Grower Mustafa Buyukkalay explains that families no longer want 10-15 kilogram watermelons. ‘’Families don’t want to buy a watermelon and have to store it in the fridge. They want to buy it, cut it and finish it. Our medium sized watermelon, which is between 4-7 kilos, appeals to consumers.’’
According to Buyukkalay, since January 15 watermelons have been coming from Iran. Turkey’s first watermelons come from Antalya, then Adana and Diyarbakir.
Source: Fresh Plaza