Of the 206,348 Tons Delivered There, 83,262 Tons Were Fruit and 123,086 Tons Were Vegetables

Watermelon and tomatoes topped sales at Istanbul's fruit and vegetable markets in July, according to data released by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Market Directorate. A total of 268,212 tons of produce was offered for sale across the Bayrampaşa and Ataşehir markets last month. At the Bayrampaşa Fruit and Vegetable Market, 76 varieties — 30 fruits and 46 vegetables — were put up for sale in July.

Of the 206,348 tons delivered there, 83,262 tons were fruit and 123,086 tons were vegetables. The Ataşehir market offered 75 varieties (30 fruits, 45 vegetables), with 24,991 tons of fruit and 36,873 tons of vegetables among its 61,864 tons of incoming produce. Combined, the two markets sold 108,253 tons of fruit and 159,959 tons of vegetables in July.

Watermelon led fruit sales with 23,097 tons, followed by cherries (15,713 tons), melons (15,538 tons), bananas (7,326 tons), peaches (6,907 tons) and nectarines (6,652 tons). Lemons reached 5,713 tons, grapes 5,357 tons, apricots 5,171 tons and plums 4,716 tons. Among vegetables, tomatoes dominated with 49,273 tons sold.

Cucumbers followed at 19,083 tons, potatoes at 15,201 tons, peppers at 14,439 tons, eggplants at 10,346 tons and dry onions at 8,636 tons. Corn reached 6,094 tons, beans 5,954 tons, carrots 4,426 tons and zucchini 4,248 tons. Average prices in July varied widely: watermelon sold for TRY 15.31 per kilogram while cherries fetched TRY 87.81. Tomatoes averaged TRY 52.81 per kilo; cucumbers TRY 21.09; potatoes TRY 38.75; peppers TRY 67.42; eggplants TRY 34.07; dry onions TRY 50.38; corn TRY 19.75; beans TRY 81.88; carrots TRY 23.66; zucchini TRY 32.50. Pomegranates were July's priciest item at an average TRY 195 per kilogram. Mulberries followed at TRY 192.50; figs TRY 184.69; okra TRY 165.94; mushrooms TRY146.56; dried garlic TRY141.88; cornelian cherries TRY127.50; grape leaves TRY121.88; kiwis TRY116.25; strawberries TRY113.75.