16.10.2024 The Season's First Chestnuts Were Received from the Producer at the Aydın Commodity Exchange

The harvest season for the Aydın Chestnut, one of key agricultural products of Aydın and recognized with an EU geographical indication, has begun. The Aydın Commodity Exchange purchased the first chestnuts of the 2024/2025 season from producers at a price of 500 TL per kilogram.

The 2024/2025 Chestnut First Purchase Ceremony, held at the Aydın Commodity Exchange and honored by Aydın Governor Yakup Canbolat, saw the attendance of Chairman of the Aydın Commodity Exchange Fevzi Çondur, Assembly President A. Bahri Erdel and board members, heads of provincial institutions, chamber and exchange presidents, and local producers.

In his speech at the ceremony, Governor Yakup Canbolat stated, “Our province of Aydın, with its strategic location and potential in agriculture, tourism, and industry, is one of the rapidly developing regions in both the Aegean and Turkey. Our fertile lands, irrigated by the Büyük Menderes River, support extensive agricultural activities. With its unique soil, climate, topography, and ecological features, Aydın is suitable for diverse, polyculture agriculture, boasting strong potential in every agricultural sector. One of these sectors is chestnut cultivation. The chestnut is an important product due to the employment it generates and the added value it brings to the national economy. Aydın leads the country in chestnut production with approximately 22,715 tons annually, with the highest yields from Nazilli, Sultanhisar, Köşk, and Çine. The fight against pests and diseases in this high-value crop is crucial, and work in this area continues. As the Governorship of Aydın, we stand with our farmers and everyone wishing to work in production and business.” Mr. Canbolat then symbolically accepted the first chestnut of the new season from producers at 500 TL per kilogram.

Emphasizing Aydın’s leadership in chestnut production, Aydın Commodity Exchange Chairman Fevzi Çondur stated that the Aydın Chestnut, registered with a geographical indication by the Commodity Exchange, is a sought-after product in international markets.

Mr. Çondur spoke about the Chamber’s ongoing efforts to combat chestnut blight, a long-standing issue in chestnut production. He highlighted a laboratory project planned to intensify the production of the "terminator beetle" to address this challenge.

“No Disrespect to the Producers’ Efforts by Allowing Chinese Chestnuts”

In addition to the challenges in chestnut production, Chairman Fevzi Çondur pointed out a significant problem in recent years: chestnuts imported from China and marketed as Turkish chestnuts. Mr. Çondur emphasized that they do not want a repeat of this issue this year and stressed the importance of taking necessary precautions in such cases.