Since the Karaburun Peninsula is a rather mountainous region, large farming-land is very scarce. In old days agricultural land was mainly used for grape and tobacco culture. Today only a few vineyards are surviving, while tobacco has completely disappeared. Nearly all cultures are grown in a natural way, which makes them organic by definition.  Because of the nature of the soil and the climate, the cultivated products, i.e. olives and olive oil, artichokes, narcissi and mandarin oranges are of very high quality.  Some products, like the Hurma olive (an olive which through a microclimate effect ripens directly on the tree and need no further treatment before consumption) grow only on the Karaburun Peninsula. Projects are being developed for the set-up of packing units for olive oil and hurma olives in order to trade them in Turkey and abroad under the Karaburun brand. For this purpose a brand-new olive oil mill has been build in the village of Eglenhoca, where from autumn 2004 on, certified organic olive oil will be produced for the first time. 

As a result of the support given by the Regional Directorate for Agriculture in the framework of the development of an Agro-Eco tourism project, the number of new products and derived products is rising.  For example, the village women make marmalade from artichokes or from wild lavender, both plants known for their medicinal qualities. Efforts for the marketing of these new products are being continued. 

The marvelously smelling narcissi and hyacinth flowers cultivated on the Karaburun Peninsula are conveyed directly to the big cities like Istanbul and Ankara and represent a substantial economical support to the Peninsula.  However a disease (nematode) has appeared the last few years and in certain areas such as Mordogan and its vicinity, the growth of narcissi has come to a complete stand. Nowadays narcissi and hyacinth have become even more rare and are mainly grown around the city of Karaburun.

The mandarin oranges of Karaburun are of a very high quality. Mandarin oranges are mainly grown in the valley of Uzundere near the village of Bozköy and in the areas of Yeniliman and Küçükbahçe. Since no modern packing plant has been built yet, the packaging and marketing of mandarin oranges is done in a quite basic way, causing an important loss of gain to the farmers. When the packing plant will be built, the product will gain value and exportation will be possible.

Ever from the period the Orthodox Greek population was living on the Peninsula and until about 30-40 years ago, vineyards and grape-culture represented the most important source of income. The Karaburun grown Sultaniye and Karaburuni grapes used to be very coveted at the Sultan’s Court. Until about 35 years ago Sultaniye and Razaki grapes were exported directly to Europe. Some types of grapes were used for the making of wine. But the emigration of the younger population has made disappear most of the vineyards. However new projects launched through the EU Sixth Frame Program intend to reinstall vineyards especially on the slopes and to intensify grape culture. 

Large culture land being very rare because of the mountainous profile of the Peninsula, quite some families are living from small cattle raising. Certain regional specialties are made with the milk of goat and sheep, i.e. kopanisti cheese, basket cheese, goat skin cheese and a dessert made from cheese which is called “Hösmerim” or “Sündürme”. Until now most of the milk is being bought very cheaply by dairy producers coming from outside the Peninsula. The planned set-up of a dairy-farm will add value to the local milk production and make it possible to produce and market the above mentioned regional cheeses under the “Karaburun” brand.  .

Since the Peninsula is surrounded by the sea, quite some people are earning their livelihood from fishing. The regional specials are the lesser gray and the red mullet. But as a result of over-fishing by the industrial fishing boats, who are coming from the Black Sea, and who violate regulations by fishing too close to the shores and using prohibited techniques, the fish stock has dramatically diminished and  the local fishermen are experiencing a major economical setback.

It is believed that apiculture started in the 1930’s on the Peninsula. Nowadays some families continue to  produce honey. The flavor and taste of the Karaburun honey is quite well known and amateurs of the Karaburun honey go and buy their honey directly from the villagers.

Traditionally, the women of Karaburun are extremely skilled in making all kinds of handicrafts. Since many centuries this knowledge and the techniques and patterns have been transmitted by the elderly women to the young girls, while preparing their dowry. However, since the younger population started leaving the Peninsula in search of better job opportunities, the transmission of these skills has become endangered. Upon the initiative of the Center for Adult Training of Karaburun,   a series of trainings has been organized where elderly skilled women taught younger women the use of various handicraft techniques. These handicrafts are now sold with the efforts of the Karaburun Local Agenda 21 and the Karaburun Women Agro-Tourism Co-operative. In this way our old handicraft traditions are surviving and the women get the possibility to contribute to the family budget.

Our Municipality is also continuing its efforts to open up to the outside world. In this respect the Municipality has, in co-operation with the Karaburun Local Agenda 21 and in the framework of the EU Grants Program, developed a project regarding organic agriculture and handicrafts. The project is presently examined. If the project is accepted by the EU, training will be given on the issues of organic agriculture, glass house cultures and handicrafts.

The planned marina with a capacity of 300 yachts, due to be build in front of the existing little fisher port of Karaburun, has reached the stage of bidding. The construction of the marina will create new jobs for the local people.

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