Lemon Prices Leave a Sour Taste in Alanya

Lemons, one of Alanya’s local products, are souring faces not only with their taste but also with their prices. Citizens complain about lemon prices ranging between 130 and 300 Turkish Liras per kilogram in markets and stores. Meanwhile, market vendors are struggling to find products.

In Alanya, known for its citrus orchards, lemon prices are burning pockets. Lemons priced between 130 and 300 Turkish Liras per kilo at market stalls and supermarkets are souring people’s faces. Citizens complain about not being able to buy them, while vendors complain about not being able to find stock. A market vendor speaking to DIM TV said, “People don’t even approach the stall when they see the price tag.”

‘We Can’t Put Price Tags Because People Run Away When They See Them’

Okan Doğan said, “We can’t put price tags on lemons because people run away when they see them. The season for lemons is over, so prices are very high. This affects vendors’ sales. Those who are well off can buy them, others buy lemons by the piece. The price per lemon varies between 20 and 30 TL, while per kilogram it ranges from 130 to 300 TL.”

‘Citrus Orchards Were Destroyed for Construction’

Fatih Çelik said, “Those who sell are justified, those who buy are too. Nobody is getting the fair value of their labor. Market vendors buy fruits and vegetables at high prices and have to sell them high as well. There used to be lemon orchards in Obagöl. They demolished them all and built construction sites. Lemons are even cheap. When you destroy orchards and build construction, high prices are normal. Vendors can’t find lemons anymore. They have destroyed the citrus orchards. Vineyards and gardens should be cared for so that we can buy fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices.”

‘We Bring Lemons from Antalya to Avoid Telling Customers “No”’

Selim Oğuz, who has been working in the market business for 5 years, said, “Right now we are struggling to find lemons. Not because of our earnings, but to avoid telling customers there is none, we bring lemons from Antalya. Lemons kept in the warehouse are cheaper. We sell lemons at 200 TL per kilo. 200 TL is not a huge amount. In winter, we sell for 30 TL but then nobody buys. That’s the situation.”

‘Lemon Prices Compete with Gold, Buy Lemon Juice Instead of Lemons’

İzzet Kolak emphasized that prices are high due to frost, saying: “Fruits and vegetables are scarce in many provinces. Everything is as valuable as gold right now. They say lemon prices compete with gold. Of course, if not, they would compete. People now buy one kilo instead of three. People should buy lemon juice instead of lemons.”

‘There Is a Shortage of Fruits and Vegetables’

Can Yılmaz said, “There is a shortage of fruits and vegetables due to frost. We can’t find products. Lemons do not have fruit on the trees. That’s why prices are high. We always face this problem in summer because lemons are not on the trees. There is a shortage of fruits and vegetables. People think market vendors are making money, but that’s not the case.”