Contribution of citrus production to the regional economy: the case of Dörtyol district

The citrus sector, which has a large share in the fresh fruit and vegetable market, has a large share in exports. The sector makes a great contribution to the economy with its export potential. Citrus production in our country is becoming more professional day by day with new agricultural practices. It is important for the future of the sector to address many issues such as the situation of citrus producers, harvest workers, the situation of cold storage, the stakeholders in the sector and the problems in international markets. Particularly, political and economic changes experienced in global conditions have a significant impact on export figures in international markets. Restrictions on entry to global markets negatively affect the citrus sector especially both political and economic factors. This thesis aims to determine the status of the citrus sector, which has an important share in the country's economy, and the problems experienced in the sector. In this context, a survey was conducted in Hatay Dörtyol, which has an important share in citrus production in covering the period of 2000-2021. According to some of the research findings; 15.5% of the producers with 11-20 years of experience preferred the sales in bulk method at fruit time. In total, 54.4% of the producers preferred the sale in bulk method of selling fruit time. In addition, producers preferred Satsuma type tangerine with 40.6%, other types of tangerine with 38.1%, orange (washigton) with 22%. According to the training and sales method preferences of the producers, the sale method of bulk at fruit time was preferred with 53.4%, the sales method was preferred with 16.1% during the growing period after flowering, and the sales method by weight after harvest was preferred with 15.5%. Lastly, it is concluded that as the age of the tree increases, the product kilogram obtained per tree increases.