Value added analysis of grape production in Dulkadiroglu district of Kahramanmaras province

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), one of the oldest cultivated plants, is an economically important temperate climate plant grown globally and in Turkiye. Developing value-added products from grapes is a topic that deserves attention. However, adding value to a product or developing a new one requires a specific process. The purpose of this study is to test the value-added analysis in grape production using the Dulkadiroğlu district of Kahramanmaraş province as an example. The primary data for this study consists of data obtained from surveys conducted with grape producers in the Dulkadiroğlu district of Kahramanmaraş province between October and November 2024. The number of sample enterprises in the study was determined using a stratified random sampling method, and the required sample size was 111 enterprises. The primary objective of the study is to reveal the economic structure, production processes, production potential of value-added products, and the problems encountered by grape producers in the region. An average of 7.83 decares of land was identified in the studied enterprises. The average age of producers was 54.26, and their education level was largely primary school. Of the average active capital per farm (2.798.096,92 TL), land capital constituted 85.86% and working capital 14.14%. Total production costs were calculated as 8.711,58 TL. Variable costs accounted for 75.25% of these costs, while fixed costs accounted for 24.25%. Harvesting costs accounted for the largest share of variable costs. Gros Production Value (GPV) 9.737,80 TL, Gross profit 2.679,64 TL, Net profit 1.026,21 TL, cost of 1 kg grapes 15.31 TL, sales price of 1 kg product 44.91 TL, net profit of 1 kg product is calculated as 29.60 TL. 39.54% of the grapes produced in the research area are marketed as table, 31.90% are allocated to molasses production, 15.45% are allocated to walnut sausage production, 7.75% are allocated to bastık production, and 4.26% are allocated to dried grape production. It has been determined that grape production in the region is carried out with traditional methods, and there are marketing and branding problems in the production of value-added products. It has been emphasized that producers should be supported in terms of organization and access to modern techniques. In addition, it has been suggested that added value can be increased by obtaining geographical indications and developing marketing strategies.