Aronia harvest in Hatay’s Hassa: the first fruit from a five-year-old planting

According to NTV’s report dated 29 September 2026, aronia plants established five years ago by grower Fırat Turan Gıttık in Küreci Yaylası, Hassa, Hatay, produced fruit this year. The grower said the harvest was being kept in cold storage and that the farm-gate price was above TRY 200 per kilogram, reaching around TRY 350 at other points of sale. These are grower statements reported at the time of publication, not fixed or current market prices.

The example is notable not only for its price, but also for the time a planting may need before it bears fruit and the need for cold handling after harvest. Anyone considering a new crop should assess planting and maintenance costs, the time before first revenue, local climate and water conditions, harvest labour, and access to cold storage or processing. One farm’s harvest report does not establish that the same yields or sales conditions will apply elsewhere.

The Hassa case is not a direct crop recommendation for Güney Eşme or Buldan. Producers considering aronia or another alternative crop in those districts should first verify local climate and soil suitability, water access, buyers, and the payback period with district agriculture offices and local specialists. Speaking with buyers before the season, starting with a small trial, and including storage and processing costs can support a better-informed decision.

The source report and corroborating coverage are linked below. Health claims about aronia are outside the scope of this article; promotional statements in news coverage are not medical advice.