Türkiye'nin ihtiyacını Bursa'daki bu iki ilçe üretiyor.

Raspberry cultivation, which began about 15 years ago on a small scale by some farmers in Orhaneli, a mountain district of Bursa, has now grown into a profitable annual production of up to 1,000 tons. Despite its low calorie content, raspberries, a forest fruit with high antioxidant content, offer benefits for many ailments thanks to their mineral and vitamin content. Raspberries strengthen the immune system, lower blood pressure with their potassium content, support heart health, and contribute to healthy digestion. They also benefit eye health, nourish the skin, and help control blood sugar. All 7,000 tons of raspberries are produced annually in Bursa. According to TÜİK (Turkish Statistical Institute) figures, an average of 7,000 tons of raspberries are produced annually, nearly all of which are grown in the Kestel and Orhaneli districts of Bursa. While Kestel leads the way in this area, the neighborhoods of Orhaneli, one of Bursa's mountain districts, are making significant progress in raspberry production. What began as small-scale raspberry cultivation by some farmers about 15 years ago has now evolved into a profitable production of up to 1,000 tons per year in many villages. Approximately 700 tons of this production comes from the Göynükbelen neighborhood. Mehmet Turp, the village headman of the Göynükbelen neighborhood, stated that raspberry production has become widespread in recent years in the rural settlements of Orhaneli, known as the "mountain villages." New raspberry orchards are being established every year Turp noted that Göynükbelen has made the most significant strides in this forest fruit, saying, "We've been producing raspberries for about 15 years. We started 15 years ago, but today we've reached a significant tonnage." Turp emphasized that new raspberry orchards are established every year, saying, "The yield is good, and the price is good. Approximately 450 farmers in our neighborhood produce raspberries. Production isn't easy, but farmers are happy with the profits. Cleaning, spraying, tending, and hoeing the orchards are quite demanding. Yields are between 1 and 1.5 tons per acre in our area. The single-bearing variety was finished in the summer. We started the seven-bearing variety in August, and it lasts until December. Not all seven varieties ripen at the same time. Harvesting continues periodically." Sold for 250 TL per kilo Turp explained that the single-bearing variety used to cost 95-100 lira per kilo when harvest began, but now it's 210 lira per kilo in cash, but with twice-weekly payments, it can reach 250 lira. Turp, noting that buyers from Izmir and Bursa come to their neighborhood, said, "They buy it here, package it, and take it to cold storage. A few icehouses have been set up here, and the fruit is put there as soon as it's harvested. It's generally used in ice cream and pastry production. Farmers are happy. They're selling it for 210-250 lira per kilo. This year's yield has been good, too. If mountain villages continue like this, they could become raspberry hubs."