Turkey: Export of grape leaves, which provides additional income to the grape producer

Vine leaves, which are an additional source of income for the farmers in Manisa, which is one of the grape production centers, contribute to the regional economy with its exports. Vine leaf, which is the main ingredient of leaf wrap, which is indispensable in Turkish cuisine, has recently become an export product with demand from all over the world. The leaves, which are consumed in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean and in European countries where the Turkish population is dense, are collected from the vines that germinate in spring. Vine leaf season continues in Manisa, which ranks 6th in world grape production with its vineyard area of approximately 1 million decares. Women who go to the vineyards in the cool of the morning collect fresh leaves from the vines until noon. Most of the vine leaves, some of which are offered for sale in neighborhood markets, are sold to exporting companies. Exporters, who extend the shelf life by making vine leaves in brine, send their ...