Anamur banana producers face crisis from high costs and imports

Banana producers in Anamur, Mersin, are facing a severe economic crisis due to rising production costs and pressure from imported bananas. CHP Mersin Deputy Gülcan Kış reported that the production cost for one kilogram of bananas has risen to 42 lira, while selling prices range between only 8 and 25 lira depending on quality.

Kış highlighted that while Turkey has built significant production capacity over the last 25 years through greenhouse investments, producers are now at risk of dismantling their facilities due to debt and unsustainable market conditions. She called for a comprehensive policy to protect domestic producers, citing examples from other nations such as Ecuador, where minimum prices are set by authorities, and the Philippines, which provides fertilizers and biological inputs to farmers. Additionally, she noted that the European Union provides substantial support to banana sectors in countries like France, Spain, and Portugal.