They Produce 300 Tons of Orange Peel a Year
In Kadirli, a district of Osmaniye, one of Çukurova's important agricultural centers, 300 tons of orange peel per year is being channeled into the economy. Orange peel, which faces strong demand from both domestic and foreign buyers, is purchased at 10 lira per kilogram and generates more income per kilogram than oranges themselves, which are sold at 2-4 lira. The peels, dried by residents and brought to processors, are sorted and cleaned before being packaged and sent to buyers. Ömer Arslantaş, an orange peel processor in Kadirli district, told AA that there is very strong demand for the product.
Arslantaş, noting that demand has increased this year, stated: "We purchase orange peel that our residents have dried and brought in. After sorting the peels, we sell them domestically and abroad. We ship an average of 300 tons of orange peel from the district annually. This contributes to both our business and the country's economy."
"We source from across Çukurova" Suna Binboğa noted that they experience high activity during the orange peel purchasing season, which lasts four months each year. Binboğa, explaining that they receive strong demand particularly from cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies, stated: "Orange essence is produced from peels. This is why it is very valuable and expensive. While the orange itself sells for 2 lira in the grove, the peel fetches up to 10 lira from buyers. We source from across the Çukurova region. Orange is more than just a fruit whose juice we drink; it serves as raw material in many different products we use." Hanifi İspir, Chairman of Kadirli Chamber of Agriculture, emphasized that orange peel is more expensive than the fruit itself, saying: "Every year orange peels are brought to our district for purchase. This sector needs to become more widespread both in our district and across the country. It is a sector with clear growth potential."
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