65% of Turkey's carrot demand is met production in the Konya Plain.
The gradual harvesting of carrots, which were planted in stages, has begun after a 120-day maintenance period. Local producers in the region stated that with support in terms of market access, they could increase production by up to 1 million tons.
In the village of Kaşınhanı, with a population of 6,000 located in the central Meram district of Konya, approximately 65% of Turkey's carrot demand is being met. Local farmers in the area take care of the carrots they plant for about 120 days. The intensive harvesting process of carrots begins in the second week of August, setting a busy working pace.
The carrots, harvested from the field with the help of machines, are brought to the factory by trucks and poured into a washing pool. After an approximately half-hour process here, the carrots are transferred onto conveyors and dumped onto a table. In the factory, an approximately 30-person team selects and bags the carrots. The individually chosen carrots are then packaged and made available for sale.
Oğuzhan Özcan, a farmer with 30 years of experience in the region, explains that the aroma and flavor of the carrots produced in the area are derived from the soil of the Konya Plain. He stated, "There is no issue with the aroma of the carrots. The spring season has been rainy and cool, which is favorable for carrots as they thrive in cooler weather. In the first and second plantings, there are no problems with the aromas. The distinct flavor of carrots in this region comes from the synergy of soil, local conditions, climate, and particularly the care we provide. The climate of the Konya Plain is highly suitable for enhancing the aroma of carrots."
Burak Kırkgöz, the President of the Konya Branch of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, expressed optimism about the carrot harvest yield. He stated, "The harvest season for the world-renowned Kaşınhanı carrots has begun. Every year during this period, harvesting starts in this region. There is a production capacity of approximately 450,000 tons in an area of about 50,000 hectares. The carrots are in high demand due to their color, aroma, and flavor. We have high expectations for the harvest yield of carrots produced in the Konya Plain. This year, we've had good spring rains. It's too early to provide exact figures for the yield since the harvest has just started, but we are hopeful that it will be high."
