Annual contribution of 1 million dollars to the national economy from vine leaves in Manisa, Turkey

In Manisa, one of the centers of viticulture in Turkey, an annual average of 1 million dollars foreign currency inflow is provided from vine leaves. Vine leaf, which is the main ingredient of leaf wrap, which is indispensable in Turkish cuisine, has recently turned into an export product with demands from all over the world. Vine leaves, which are used to add a sour flavor to various dishes in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean, became a new source of income for Manisa, known for its grapes. An annual average of 500 tons of vine leaves, which are collected while still fresh, put in brine and packaged, are sent to the Mediterranean and Middle East countries. While the price of vine leaves per kilogram is between 6-10 liras at the producer, the export price after processing and pickling rises to the level of 1.5-2 dollars. “IT HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT GATE OF INCOME IN LAST YEARS” Manisa Viticulture Research Institute Director Akay ...