Arsuz hailstorms cause significant damage to pomegranate and mandarin orchards

Severe hailstorms in the Arsuz district of Hatay, Turkey, have caused significant damage to local agricultural production. The hail, described as being the size of walnuts, struck several neighborhoods including Madenli, Akçalı, Gözcüler, and Gökmeydan.

A 100-dönüm pomegranate orchard intended for export suffered extensive damage. Farmers reported that approximately 99 percent of the fruit was ruined, making it impossible to harvest for fresh sale. Instead, the damaged pomegranates will likely have to be processed into juice.

Additionally, a 25-dönüm orchard growing early mandarin oranges was hit. The storm caused many fruits to fall from the trees, while those remaining on the branches were pierced or split by the hail, rendering the crop inedible for fresh market sale.