A new culture in Turkey: the dragon fruit

 

Producers are looking for high value alternatives and after testing with the cape gooseberry, they got good results with the pitaya, which requires no pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

 

This fruit was planted for the first time in 2014 in Antalya and Mersin producers have benefited from their experience. Grown under greenhouse, fruit between 400 grams and 1 kilo, sold well in the domestic market in a supermarket chain and cost about 3 euros each. In a period of 3 years, productivity should strongly increase.

 

This fruit is not consumed only fresh but also in sorbet, fruit salad, etc., and it can also be used as dye industry.

 

Germany, England, France and Holland are seekers of pitaya and export of this fruit could be possible in the near future.