Company
Basak Tarim
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Baris Kocagoz
“Our organic pomegranates may look natural on the outside, but inside they are bright red, full of flavour and completely free of chemical residues.”
Products
Organic pomegranates
Country
Turkey
Hi, I’m Baris Kocagoz, and I grow organic pomegranates for Nature & More in Turkey. Our company, Basak Tarim, is based in the west of the country near the cities of Söke and Aydin, a region well suited to pomegranate cultivation. We have been producing pomegranates for more than 12 years, and I am proud to share this beautiful and healthy fruit with consumers around the world.
From family farming to organic pomegranates
My family has been active in agriculture for over 90 years, originally focusing on cotton farming. When I became involved in the family business, I wanted to introduce a new direction with a strong organic focus. The pomegranate — a fruit known for thousands of years — proved to be the perfect choice. We started our organic journey in 2007, and today we work with four organic pomegranate farms in the region.
Choosing organic in Turkey
I chose organic farming out of respect for nature and future generations. Humans have significantly disrupted ecological balance, and organic agriculture is one way to restore it. Organic pomegranate production requires continuous care, from flowering to harvest. While organic fruits may show small visual imperfections, they are naturally grown, residue-free and rich in flavour — exactly as fruit should be.
Growing pomegranates in a living ecosystem
Our orchards are located in a fertile landscape where a river runs through the fields, creating a rich ecosystem. At Basak Tarim, weeds are cut manually and left on the soil together with tree clippings. This organic material decomposes naturally, forming a mulch layer that nourishes the soil, reduces evaporation and helps prevent erosion. Since we do not use insecticides or herbicides, our orchards support a wide range of life, from birds to insects and soil organisms.
Sharing organic fruit with the world
In Turkey, the domestic market for organic products is still limited. That is why cooperation with Nature & More is so important to us — it allows our organic pomegranates to reach international markets and connect us directly with consumers who value organic food. Through this platform, I enjoy sharing not only our fruit, but also our story and passion for organic farming.
Our positive impact
Climate
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Basak Tarim has been growing organic pomegranates since 2007, without synthetic fertilizers or chemical toxins.
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Lower energy use through manual fieldwork and the avoidance of fossil fuel–based agrochemicals reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
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Cold storage is energy-intensive; the company aims to transition to wind energy in the future, subject to regulations.
Water
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Drip irrigation is used to conserve water in the orchards.
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Although a river runs through the fields, underground water is preferred due to upstream pollution; water quality is tested annually.
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Rainwater harvesting tanks are being considered for winter collection.
Soil
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Living soils are built without synthetic fertilizers, improving water retention, porosity and natural nutrient availability.
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Weeds and tree clippings are manually cut and left on the orchard floor as mulch, reducing evaporation and preventing erosion.
Biodiversity
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A river crossing the fields supports a rich ecosystem; over 130 bird species live in the Söke region.
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No insecticides are used, allowing earthworms, spiders and insects to thrive.
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Pomegranate trees are drought-tolerant, GMO-free, and grown without herbicides, supporting plant diversity.
Individual
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Baris actively supports education and personal development through local humanitarian and educational initiatives.
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He works side by side with employees in the orchards and packing house, maintaining close contact and shared responsibility.
Society
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Basak Tarim employs eight permanent workers and around 30 seasonal workers during harvest.
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Wages follow national agreements; permanent staff receive social security and medical care through the Turkish system.
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Educational farm visits are organised each harvest season to connect people with farming and nature.
Economy
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Basak Tarim operates four organic pomegranate farms near Söke and Aydin and has over 12 years of production experience.
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Partnership with Nature & More provides access to international markets, as domestic demand for organic products in Turkey remains limited.
Greetings from our farm!
Location
Western Turkey — near Söke and Aydin, where Basak Tarim grows organic pomegranates in a Mediterranean landscape.
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