Thousands of families' livelihoods depend on the harvest season in the capital of lemons

In Erdemli district of Mersin, known as the capital of lemon and a source of livelihood for thousands of families, the harvest period for stored lemons has begun. Currently, lemons, which are bought for around 40 TL per kilo in the orchard, are collected by workers who enter the orchard early in the morning, with some being sent to domestic and foreign markets, while others are dispatched to cold storage for summer consumption. Mersin, which ranks among the top in fresh vegetable and fruit production in Turkey, leads in lemon production. In Erdemli district, where the largest production takes place over more than 100,000 decares, the harvest of the geographical indication registered 'lamas' and 'thick-thorned' lemons, which are a source of bread for thousands, has started. The harvest, expected to last until the end of March, sees some of the collected lemons sent to domestic and foreign markets, while others are dispatched to cold storage for consumption over the approximately ...