Producers in Hatay, a southern Turkish city, have started to harvest black carrots. This year the field of production doubled its size and the orders were already made before the harvest.

In Hatays Kırıkhan district, besides yellow carrots, farmers produce black carrots that are used in the food coloring, pickle and juice- making industries.The area of black carrots increased this year from 800 hectares to 1800 hectares.

Farmers in Amik Valley started to harvest black carrots and put them in sacks. Then they are sent to factories to get cleaned and packaged.

Mehmet Celik, the president of Kırıkhan Agricultural Chamber stated that black carrots are planted later in the season and harvested later than regular carrots.

Emphasizing that the yield is expected to be around 50 thousand tons, Celik said:

"Our district is an important area for carrot production. Thanks to the quality of our soil, our product is of high quality. We are harvesting in an area of 1800 hectares. The production is based on agreements between companies and producers. We plant black carrots depending on demands. It is a good source of revenue for farmers. We wish to produce even more. We hope that these numbers will increase next year."

Celik wished producers a productive harvest and said that black carrots are sold to companies for 0,5 Turkish Lira (7,5 cents) per kilo.