Turkish Raisins: Grape producers in Manisa started to dry the grapes they harvested. In many fields, fresh grapes started to dry under the average 40-degree sun. However, in the region where 90 percent of seedless raisin production is carried out, there is a low yield due to the mildew disease seen in the vineyards. Producers state that they could not get the yield they expected.
Mildew disease hit the vineyards
Abdullah Şenol, Chairman of the Coordination Board of Manisa Chambers of Agriculture, told the Turkish News Agency AA correspondent that producers could not get the yield they expected this year. Stating that the reason for this is the fungus-induced mildew disease, Şenol said: “As of the 20th of August, harvest time comes every year in our vineyards. Currently, cutting has started and our producers are troubled. At the beginning of the season, we knew that there would be a low yield in our grapes after the frost in March and April. On top of that, when we entered the season, after the rainfall in June and May, which has not been seen for the last 50-60 years, we experienced mildy mildew disease, and most of our vineyards have become unable to be cut.
The yield is almost halved-Forecast
“Noting that the grape yield in Manisa last year was over 340 thousand tonnes, Şenol said, “This year, in the estimates we made with the chambers of agriculture, district agricultural directorates, TARİŞ and other institutions, it is predicted that the grape yield will be around 180-190 thousand tonnes.”
In addition, due to the expectation of low yields, suppliers are hesitant to give prices for the 2023 crop of Turkish raisins. For now, most of them are in a wait-and-see phase, waiting for the market to shape. Market prices are expected to take form in about two weeks.