Early cherry varieties in the Şehzadeler district of Manisa have an important place in both the domestic and international markets as they are the first cherries grown in the northern hemisphere. As April approaches the end, farmers are in a sweet rush to bring the first harvested cherries to the market. Cherry producer Yusuf Bakan, who was the first to bring cherries to the market this year, sold the cherries he harvested at an auction to cherry trader Mesut Altıok for 6 thousand TL per kilogram.
Speaking at the auction, Şehzadeler Deputy Mayor Mümin Yılmaz said, “The first cherry of the northern hemisphere in 2026 is produced in our Sancaklı İğdecik, Sancaklı Bozköy, Sancaklı Uzunçınar and Karaoğlan neighborhoods. Thank you to the efforts of our farmers.”
Stating that the yield is expected to be high this year, Manisa Deputy Director of Agriculture and Forestry Serdar Mersinli said, “We have realized the first cherry harvest of the northern hemisphere. We wish it to be a fruitful year for our district and our country. Our season is going well. We expect the yield to be high. We do not expect the negativities we experienced last year due to the frost disaster this year.”
Cherry trader Mesut Altıok, who bought approximately 5 kilograms of cherries at an auction at the market for 6 thousand TL per kilogram, said, “Last year, our producers were victimized by the frost disaster. We think that the profit will be good because the yield is high this year. I bought it for 6 thousand TL, but it does not matter. Let our farmers be happy. It is not easy to extract cherries.”
Cherry producer Yusuf Bakan said that the sale was symbolic but cherry prices would decrease in the future and said, “We grew our cherries in natural environments. I think we will have a good season. The price of 6 thousand TL made me happy, but it is a symbolic sale right now. I think we will sell around 250 TL when we come to May. We will sell it to the merchants for 250 TL. Due to the increasing costs of our traders, it will probably reach 500 TL in the market.”
