The Deregume district of Isparta used to be a production area of roses and grapes but 13 years ago due to low productivity rose gardens and grapevines were replaced with the cut flower greenhouses. Growers started to grow mainly carnations in these 400 hectares of greenhouses and are very much satisfied with the productivity in these greenhouses.
Carnations are sold both to local and export markets and creates around 1,000 jobs in the area. The production volume is around 40 million stems and a significant portion is exported to the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Russia and Ukraine.
The area is at 1,035 meters altitude and very close in proximity to Antalya, the main cut flower production region in the country. The cut flower harvest season in Isparta starts when the harvest season in Antalya comes to an end in May and ends in November when the harvest season starts in Antalya.
Growers also note that cut flowers from this area have a longer shelf life which creates more demand in export markets with every passing year.
Source: Hurriyet