Low prices, lack of storage spoils tons of apples in Balakayati
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Low prices and a lack of public cold storage have spoiled tons of apple produce in Erbil province's Balakayati region, with many farmers having been discouraged from harvesting their produce.
In Balakayati this year, the cold weather destroyed many fruit trees in bloom, only apples have withstood the frost of late winter and early spring last year.
Choman Agriculture says part of the abundant apple produce in Balakayati, which has exceeded 10,000 tons, is highly likely to go to waste as gardeners ignore them, not harvesting them due to low prices and the lack of public cold storage.
“Our biggest problem is that there is no refrigerator at our border. In addition, they say that apples are not allowed to be imported, but there are apples from other countries in the market. Other problems are the lack of special boxes and nylon to store the expensive products,” said Nabaz Kaka, the owner of an apple orchard.
Each apple orchard in the region has yielded nearly ten tons of apples. These apples are typically sold at prices ranging from 250 to 400 dinars per kilogram. In the market, the same apples are being sold for 1,000 dinars per kilogram.
"Certainly, locally grown products have a unique flavor and are more beneficial. We ought to support local products to keep our money within the country," said Rasoul Hassan, a resident.
Apples and other crops in Balakayati are harvested and transported to the market within a week. The reason for this quick turnaround is that the 13-year-old refrigerator remains locked.
"The cold storage facility has not been handed over to us at the Choman Agriculture Directorate. If the cold storage starts to operate, our farmers will have the option to store their crops there and sell them at the right time," said Sulaiman Abdullah, the director of Choman agriculture.
According to data from the Choman Agricultural Department, there are 520 apple orchards in Balakayati, covering approximately 5,000 dunams of land. These orchards yield an annual apple production exceeding 10,000 tons.
In Balakayati this year, the cold weather destroyed many fruit trees in bloom, only apples have withstood the frost of late winter and early spring last year.
Choman Agriculture says part of the abundant apple produce in Balakayati, which has exceeded 10,000 tons, is highly likely to go to waste as gardeners ignore them, not harvesting them due to low prices and the lack of public cold storage.
“Our biggest problem is that there is no refrigerator at our border. In addition, they say that apples are not allowed to be imported, but there are apples from other countries in the market. Other problems are the lack of special boxes and nylon to store the expensive products,” said Nabaz Kaka, the owner of an apple orchard.
Each apple orchard in the region has yielded nearly ten tons of apples. These apples are typically sold at prices ranging from 250 to 400 dinars per kilogram. In the market, the same apples are being sold for 1,000 dinars per kilogram.
"Certainly, locally grown products have a unique flavor and are more beneficial. We ought to support local products to keep our money within the country," said Rasoul Hassan, a resident.
Apples and other crops in Balakayati are harvested and transported to the market within a week. The reason for this quick turnaround is that the 13-year-old refrigerator remains locked.
"The cold storage facility has not been handed over to us at the Choman Agriculture Directorate. If the cold storage starts to operate, our farmers will have the option to store their crops there and sell them at the right time," said Sulaiman Abdullah, the director of Choman agriculture.
According to data from the Choman Agricultural Department, there are 520 apple orchards in Balakayati, covering approximately 5,000 dunams of land. These orchards yield an annual apple production exceeding 10,000 tons.