Corn production trends shift in Kahramanmaraş and Diyarbakır

Corn harvesting has commenced in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, specifically in the Onikişubat and Dulkadiroğlu districts. Producers report a yield loss of approximately 20% to 30% compared to previous years. This decline is attributed to excessive rainfall followed by a rapid rise in temperatures, which negatively impacted the grain-filling period. Current yields are averaging between 1,100 and 1,200 kilograms per decare, with market prices hovering around 14 TL.

In Diyarbakır, corn cultivation areas have expanded significantly, rising from 20,000 decares last year to 30,000 decares this year in the Yenişehir region. This shift is driven by the rising production costs of cotton, leading farmers to favor corn and wheat. While last year's purchase price was 11 TL per kilogram, farmers are now calling for a minimum price of 16 TL to offset increased expenses for fuel, electricity, fertilizer, and pesticides. The harvest in Diyarbakır is expected to begin on October 25.