Mersin, known as Turkey's fresh fruit basket, led in fresh fruit and vegetable exports in 2021 with 2.33 million shopping baskets, generating 1.878 billion dollars from the cultivation of the last 3 million fruits in fresh fruit and orchards. The city's agriculture and forestry director, Arif Abalı, attributed this success to the city's fertile soils, climate, and the ability to produce throughout the year. Mersin ranked first in the production of several fruits and vegetables, including bananas, lemons, loquats, strawberries, plums, pumpkins, carobs, and figs, and is expected to continue leading in foreign currency earnings in the agricultural sector.