Carob on Muğla, Antalya and Aegean Coasts
Carob is not just a tree native to the Eastern Mediterranean in Turkey; It grows naturally in a wide strip stretching from the Aegean coast to the Western Mediterranean. The Bodrum, Datça, Marmaris and Fethiye regions of Muğla and the coastal districts of Antalya from Kaş to Gazipaşa are considered among the areas with dense carob populations.
In this article, we discuss the natural distribution of carob on the Aegean and Western Mediterranean coasts, the types that vary according to the region, the prominent findings of the researches and the place of these regions in Turkish production.
Natural Distribution of Carob in Turkey
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is a tree that has adapted to the coastal belt of the Mediterranean climate and likes warm winters and hot and dry summers. In the carob article of the Küre Encyclopedia, it is stated that its natural distribution area in Turkey is the coastal parts of the Aegean and Mediterranean regions and that the tree is most densely found along the coast from Izmir to Antalya and Mersin (Küre Encyclopedia).
In the same source, carob typically grows in red Mediterranean soils, red-brown Mediterranean soils and rendzina soils; It is stated that it is included in the maquis community with species such as wild olive, mastic (Pistacia lentiscus), myrtle, laurel, maple cutting (Phillyrea latifolia) and kermes oak. It is stated that it can form shrubby forms that spread from the ground in coastal dunes and poor soils (Küre Encyclopedia).
In a recent study on wild genotypes in Antalya, it is stated that carob can be seen up to approximately 600 meters above sea level, and its highest altitude zone is between 20-100 meters near the coast (Balkıç et al., 2024).
Carob Types by Region: Succulent, Samos and Wild
In Turkey, carob is generally examined under three types: meaty, samos and wild. In a study based on the study of Seçmen (1973), it is stated that meaty and wild types are dominant in the Mediterranean Region; it is reported that the samos type is dominant in the Aegean, where there are also meaty and wild types (Çetinay et al., 2014).
The differences between these types are also reflected in the pod structure. In a study comparing the types in Turkey, the average pod weight was found to be 13.60 grams in the wild genotype, 23.30 grams in the "Meaty" type and 19.92 grams in the "Samos" type. While the seed rate was 18.60 percent in the wild type, it was 11.97 percent in the "Meaty" and 11.10 percent in the "Samos" type. In the same study, the total sugar content was measured in the "Samos" type (Gubbuk et al., 2010). In another study comparing two native and two wild types, the average fruit weight varied between 7.45 and 36.25 grams; it was reported that the native types stood out with their fruit weight and size, while the wild types stood out with the number of seeds and seed ratio (Gubbuk et al., 2009).
Local names also vary from region to region. Referring to Seçmen (1973), the names carob, honey horn, carob and carob are used for carob; It is reported that wild trees around Köprülü Canyon are called "jackal horns" (Çetinay et al., 2014).
Muğla: Carob Coasts of the Aegean
Muğla, with its indented coasts where the Aegean and Mediterranean meet, is an important part of the natural distribution area of carob. Referring to the selection project carried out in the Mediterranean Region (Pekmezci et al., 2004), Balkıç et al. (2024) list the regions with dense populations in Muğla as Bodrum, Datça, Marmaris, and Fethiye.
The diversity of wild carob in Muğla has also been the subject of scientific studies. In a study examining 36 wild genotypes from Marmaris and its surroundings (Korkmaz et al., 2020), it is reported that there are differences between genotypes in terms of morphological and biochemical characteristics (Balkıç et al., as reported in 2024). This finding suggests that natural populations in the region are a rich genetic resource for selection and breeding studies.
In production statistics, Muğla has a much smaller share compared to Antalya and Mersin. According to the BAKA report based on TURKSTAT data, 734 tons of carob were produced in Muğla in 2022 on a registered area of 543 decares, and the yield per tree was recorded as 35 kg (BAKA, 2024). This suggests that the presence of carob in Muğla largely consists of trees in natural and semi-natural areas rather than registered gardens; however, official records do not show this distinction in detail.
Antalya: A Carob Strip from Kaş to Gazipaşa
Antalya is Turkey's largest carob producer province. According to sources based on TURKSTAT data, the province ranked first with a production of 13,095 tons in 2022 and 12,581 tons in 2023 (BAKA, 2024; Balkıç et al., 2024). Carob is found in most of the coastal districts, from Kaş and Demre in the west of the province to Alanya and Gazipaşa in the east. In the selection project cited by Balkıç et al. (2024), the regions with dense populations in Antalya are listed as Alanya, Gazipaşa, Serik, Manavgat, Kumluca, Demre and Kaş.
In the same study, the fruit and seed characteristics of wild genotypes collected from different districts of Antalya were compared. Demre ranked first in all the criteria examined; here, the average fruit weight was measured as 10.93 grams, the number of seeds was 14.95 pieces, and the seed yield was 26.80 percent. Kumluca came in second. Researchers reported that seed yield was higher in southern and low-altitude locations (Balkıç et al., 2024).
| District (wild genotypes) | Fruit weight (g) | Seed yield (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Demre | 10,93 | 26,80 |
| Kumluca | 10,13 | 21,85 |
| Gazipasa | 8,75 | 21,60 |
| Alanya | 9,88 | 20,26 |
| Finike | 9,22 | 19,90 |
| Kas | 10,62 | 19,62 |
| Serik | 9,68 | 16,69 |
| Manavgat | 10,74 | 16,43 |
| Headquarters | 10,34 | 16,22 |
Source: Balkıç et al. (2024).
Inland Populations: The Case of Köprülü Canyon
Carob forms natural populations not only on the coastline but also in the valleys close to the coast. Köprülü Canyon National Park, located in the interior of Antalya, is a good example of this. In a study conducted in this area, it was stated that carob is found especially within the borders of Altınkaya (Zerk), Bozyaka, Gaziler and Karabük villages; it was emphasized that the village people cultivated wild trees by grafting them and that the product was an important source of income for the local people (Çetinay et al., 2014).
In the same study, grafted trees showed higher values in fruit characteristics than wild trees, and seed characteristics were close to each other in the two groups; however, it was also noted that serious disruptions were observed in tree care in the region (Çetinay et al., 2014).
A Protection Belt at the Forest Edge
The importance of carob in the Western Mediterranean is not limited to fruit alone. In the news about the carob workshop held in Antalya in 2023, it was stated that a large number of carob saplings were planted in the region after the forest fire in Manavgat. At the workshop, researchers stated that carob leaves ignite more difficult and recommended planting carob among pine forests and on forest edges as a buffer against fire (Politika Newspaper, 2023).
Among the recommendations of the workshop is the establishment of carob gene pools in the Eastern Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean and Aegean. Considering the diversity of natural populations in Muğla and Antalya, this proposal is important for the protection of the genetic resources of the region.
Common Features of Aegean and Western Mediterranean Carob
The presence of carob along this expansive stretch of coastline shares several common characteristics:
- A significant part of the trees are located in natural or semi-natural areas, within the maquis cover.
- Wild types are common; these can produce pods that are small but high in seeds.
- Trees cultivated by grafting produce larger and fleshier fruit.
- Samos is more dominant in the Aegean, and succulent and wild types are more dominant in the Mediterranean.
- The region offers a rich genetic diversity for selection and breeding studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does carob grow in the Aegean Region?
Yes. Carob also grows naturally on the Aegean coast; Bodrum, Datça, Marmaris and Fethiye regions of Muğla are among the areas with dense populations.
What is a samian type carob?
It is one of the three types of carob distinguished in Turkey; according to sources, it is dominant in the Aegean and the highest sugar content was measured in this type in a study.
In which districts is carob most common in Antalya?
In the sources, Alanya, Gazipaşa, Serik, Manavgat, Kumluca, Demre and Kaş are counted as districts with dense populations.
How much carob is produced in Muğla?
According to the BAKA report based on TURKSTAT data, 734 tons of carob was produced in Muğla in 2022.
Carob of the Shores with Carob Türkiye
Our coasts stretching from the Aegean to the Mediterranean are the natural home of carob. As Carob Türkiye, we supply carob fruit, cracks, flour/powder, seeds and extracts. Our products Our Products You can review it on the page, you can take a look at our article "Carob Production in Turkey" for data on Turkey in general, and our article "Alanya Carob" for information specific to Alanya. For your wholesale and export requests Contact Now You can contact us on our page.
Domestic resources
Balkıç, R., Polat, İ., Gübbük, H., "Effects of Different Locations on Fruit and Seed Characteristics in Naturally Growing Wild Carob Genotypes in Antalya", Journal of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, 15(2), 74–80, 2024. doi.
org/ 10. 29048/ makufebed. 1454370 Çetinay, Ş., Güler, S., Coşgun, S., Şahin, M., Güngöroğlu, C., "Natural and Grafted Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Comparison of Trees in Terms of Fruit and Seed Characteristics (Köprülü Canyon National Park Example)", Journal of Süleyman Demirel University Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences, 17(1), 64–69, 2014. dergipark.
org. en/ en/ pub/ sdufenbed/ article/ 222049 Erbaş, S., "Carob Agriculture and Industry Feasibility Report", Western Mediterranean Development Agency (BAKA), Publication No: 153, 2024. DEVELOPMENT LIBRARY.
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com/ carob- one- BENEFIT- more- revealed- output Foreign sources
Gubbuk, H., Kafkas, E., Güven, D., Güneş, E., "Physical and phytochemical profile of wild and domesticated carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) genotypes", Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 8(4), 1129–1136, 2010. doi.
org/ 10. 5424/ sjar/ 2010084- 1209 Gubbuk, H., Güven, D., Güneş, E., "Physical Features of Some Turkish Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Pods", Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca. Horticulture, 66(1), 2009. doi.
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