It's grown without water and shipped to Japan. Sesame seeds, preferred for sushi, cost 200 TL per kilogram
Harvesting has begun for Gökova sesame, which stands out for its dry farming method and unique aroma. The golden yellow sesame seeds are being shipped to Japan for use in sushi. The sesame harvest season has begun in the fertile agricultural lands surrounding Muğla's world-famous Gökova Bay. Gökova sesame, produced in the Akçapınar and Akyaka neighborhoods, stands out with its unique aroma and scent thanks to the region's specific climatic conditions.The moisture carried by the winds of Gökova has a positive effect on the development of sesame grown in the region. Grown using dry farming methods, the crop attracts attention in the fields with its golden yellow color during harvest time. PRODUCED USING TRADITIONAL METHODS. Sesame plants are hand-harvested and stacked in the field after ripening. Following 21 days of drying in the field, they are hand-threshed using natural methods, then sifted to prepare the product. The production process, which involves no technological intervention, is carried out using traditional farming methods and delivered to the consumer. HIGH DEMAND FROM JAPAN. Gökova sesame seeds are in demand not only domestically but also especially from Japan. Sesame seeds, used in the preparation of sushi, an important product of Japanese cuisine, are purchased from the region annually through traders and shipped to Japan. While Japan will purchase yellow sesame seeds from exporting companies at $4.70 per kilogram (230 TL) in 2025, the price in the sesame market for this year has not yet been announced. The retail price in the domestic market is expected to be 200 TL in 2026, and the wholesale price is expected to be 180 TL. "THERE IS HIGH DEMAND FROM FOREIGNERS" Sesame, grown in this region where rainfall is particularly scarce during the summer months, comes to life in the fields thanks to the producers' traditional farming methods.Producer Nilgün Sarıoğlu said, "This is organic and natural. It grows in our fields because the soil underneath is moist. It also gets natural dew and the salty air of the sea. That's why it grows without water. It's organic. There's nothing wrong with it, it's organic and natural. There's a lot of demand, many people want it, many retail customers want it. By the kilo. Foreigners always buy it by the kilo. May God bless us with abundance. This year is even better. The Japanese use it in sushi. Here we call it 'çitirmek'. It's made from that."Adem Akyüz, who has been a sesame producer for 20 years, said, "Gökova sesame is dry-farmed sesame. It's natural, fertilizer-free. We don't use fertilizer. Right now, we're sifting it like this. We're putting it into the trailer. We'll sift it tomorrow. It's all handwork. There are no workers, they can't be found."
Source: http://ntv.com.tr/yerel-haberler/kiraathanede-merdivenlerden-dusen-kisi-hayatini-kaybetti-1747988