Menengiç fruit growing in the Taurus Mountains has become a source of income for villagers
Menengiç, which grows naturally in the mountains of Antalya's Akseki district, is gathered through the labor of villagers, providing support to their budgets.
The menengiç fruit, which grows naturally in the Taurus Mountains and is known locally as çöğre, has turned into an important source of income for forest villagers in Antalya's Akseki district.
Harvesting of Menengiç Fruit
Starting to ripen in October, the menengiç fruit is carefully gathered by villagers from the Taurus Mountains using baskets.
It is stated that thanks to abundant rainfall this year, product yields are very high, with collectors obtaining an average of 35 to 40 kilograms of product per day.
Prices and Sales Conditions
While naturally gathered menengiç fruit finds buyers in the market between 250 and 300 liras per kilogram, the extracted oil is offered for sale at 1,200 liras per liter.
Usage Areas and Evaluation
While the dried fruits are consumed as nuts during the winter months, a portion of them is utilized in the making of coffee and local dishes.
While 1 kilogram of oil is obtained from approximately 3 kilograms of fruit, the pulp remaining from the oil extraction process is brought into the economy as animal feed.