Harvest season for pine nuts, one of Turkey's important export products, has begun

The harvest season for pine nuts, one of Turkey's important export products, has begun. During the harvesting process from Künar pines, which is carried out under very difficult conditions, those who have the ability to climb the pine tree and work are given a daily wage of 1500 TL. While pine nuts, which are widely produced throughout the province, especially in Aydın's Koçarlı district, make a significant contribution to the country's economy with their export value, their work is known as one of the most dangerous jobs. First, the cones are dropped from the trees using special methods, and then they are broken into factories, their cores are removed, and then sorted. While an average of 2 kilograms of kunar is obtained from approximately 100 kilograms of cones, the price of kunar, which becomes an export product after long processes, is almost competing with gold. Producers stated that kunar is a luxury consumption item and approximately 90 percent of the production is ...