Bursa peach is a peach variety distinguished by its large fruit size, vibrant color, high aroma, and balanced taste profile. It was cultivated under the unique climate and soil conditions of Bursa province. Peaches hold an important place in Türkiye's agricultural production and are intensively grown, especially in regions where climate and soil conditions are favorable. In this context, Bursa stands out nationwide both in terms of production volume and quality. Bursa Peach is recognized and preferred not only within Türkiye but also abroad, carrying economic and cultural value thanks to its climatic characteristics, modern cultivation techniques, and geographical indication protection.
Bursa Peach (AA)
Origin and History of Bursa Peach Cultivation
The history of peach cultivation in Bursa dates back to the pre-Republic era, and since the mid-20th century, it has gained a significant place in the region’s agricultural structure. From the 1950s onward, the fertile soils of the Bursa Plain facilitated the development of fruit growing; during this period, peaches, along with grapes and pears, became part of Bursa’s commercial product profile. The local microclimate conditions and the alluvial soils rich in organic matter provide an ideal growing environment for peaches. Over time, production shaped itself both for the domestic market and export; producers focused on market-appropriate varieties and moved towards branding the Bursa peach.
Climate and Soil Characteristics
One of the most important factors determining the quality of Bursa peach is the region’s climate. The temperate Marmara climate observed in Bursa offers a suitable structure for peach production with hot and humid summers and cold but not severely harsh winters. Winter temperatures meet the chilling requirement of peach trees, while adequate temperatures during the vegetation period support growth. Additionally, the sandy-loamy, well-drained, and organic matter-rich soil structure of the Bursa Plain provides high quality and yield in peach production. These soils have balanced water retention capacity, reducing the risk of root rot even during heavy rainfall.
Varieties of Bursa Peach
Among the peach varieties commonly grown in Bursa, early and mid-season types such as ‘Early Amber,’ ‘J.H. Hale,’ ‘Red Haven,’ ‘Spring Crest,’ ‘Elegant Lady,’ ‘Sun Crest,’ and ‘Glohaven’ stand out. However, the variety subject to the geographical indication certificate and known as "Bursa Peach" is generally selected from mid-season and late-season groups. These varieties attract attention with their large size, juiciness, aromatic qualities, and dark red-orange color. Moreover, these peaches are suitable for both fresh consumption and industrial use, and their durability makes them suitable for export.
Bursa Peach (AA)
Geographical Indication and Quality Factors
Bursa Peach was registered with a geographical indication by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office in 2023. This indication aims to protect the unique qualities gained through cultivation in a specific geographic area and production methods unique to that region. The geographical indication certificate details the product’s physical and chemical properties, such as taste, aroma, skin color, and fruit flesh firmness. Within this framework, Bursa Peach must meet criteria like having over 12% soluble dry matter (sugar content), fruit weight between 150-200 grams, and a minimum 80% blush rate. All these features enhance the product’s competitiveness in the market.
Disease and Pest Management
Major diseases threatening plant health in Bursa peach cultivation include root-knot nematodes, leaf curl, monilia, powdery mildew, and codling moth. Leaf curl is especially observed in early spring during bud swelling, causing abnormal leaf growth and drop, limiting photosynthesis, and reducing fruit yield. Monilia leads to flower and fruit rot; powdery mildew affects young shoots and leaves, negatively impacting product quality. Besides chemical treatments with licensed plant protection products, cultural measures such as pruning to improve air circulation and the use of certified saplings are implemented. Copper and sulfur-based applications before the season are also effective in reducing disease risk.
Regarding pests, the most significant threats are the Mediterranean fruit fly, aphids, and red spider mite. The Mediterranean fruit fly causes damage to the fruit surface, especially in late peach varieties, reducing market value. Biotechnical methods, mass trapping, and pheromone traps are environmentally friendly approaches emphasized in pest control. Under integrated pest management principles, chemical control is applied only when pest thresholds are exceeded, planned to preserve beneficial insect populations. For Bursa Peach, covered by geographical indication, pesticide residue controls and traceability practices ensure healthy production processes, thus protecting both product quality and consumer safety.
Production, Harvest, and Marketing
Bursa peach production is carried out within a system producing Türkiye’s highest-quality peaches thanks to the Marmara Region’s temperate climate, fertile alluvial soils, and suitable altitude. Peach cultivation in Bursa is concentrated mainly in Nilüfer, Osmangazi, Yıldırım, Gürsu, and Kestel districts. The peach varieties used in production predominantly include table varieties such as Early Red, Springcrest, Redhaven, Glohaven, Dixired, and J.H. Hale.
Modern closed orchards are established on agricultural lands, and by balancing early and late varieties, the harvest period is extended from late May to mid-September. While traditional irrigation systems are generally used in orchards, drip irrigation systems are becoming more widespread, especially in enterprises with export potential.
Harvesting in Bursa usually takes place early in the morning before the fruits soften under the sun’s influence. Harvested fruits are carefully placed in plastic crates and sent directly to cold storage or the market. Especially for export products, classification and sizing are performed. Gürsu district stands out as the earliest peach harvesting area in the region, while Kestel is noted for the latest harvest. This is due to differences in altitude and microclimate conditions.
At the marketing stage, Bursa peach enjoys a high preference rate both in domestic and foreign markets. Domestically, it is sent to wholesale markets and supermarket chains in major cities, while exports are mainly directed to European countries. According to data from the Turkish Exporters ' Association, Türkiye’s fresh peach exports exceeded 115 million USD in 2022, with a significant portion supplied by Bursa production.
Bursa Peach (TRT News)
