Ayhan Barut criticizes Turkish agricultural policies and lemon production costs

Ayhan Barut, a Member of Parliament for the YENİ Party and a member of the TBMM Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Commission, has criticized current agricultural and economic policies in Turkey. Barut argues that the government's policies have caused both producers and consumers to suffer, rather than simply blaming intermediaries or market opportunists.

Highlighting the specific crisis in lemon production, Barut noted that while the production cost for one kilogram of lemons is expected to reach at least 10 lira by 2026, producers are currently forced to sell their crops for as little as 6 to 8 lira. In contrast, retail prices in major cities like Istanbul can reach nearly 200 lira per kilogram.

To address these disparities, Barut called for a new agricultural order that focuses on reducing input costs, supporting production, and increasing transparency from farm to table. He specifically advocated for the implementation of a 'hal law' (wholesale market law) to regulate intermediaries and close the price gap between producers and consumers.