Turkey agricultural updates: Hazelnut harvests and new TMO poppy seed purchases

Turkey's agricultural sector is seeing significant developments in hazelnut and poppy seed production. In Düzce, a hazelnut harvest festival was held, with officials projecting a recovery in yields. Following a previous drop to 53,000 tons due to frost, the province aims for a harvest of approximately 102,000 to 103,000 tons this season.

In Ordu, the Metropolitan Municipality is entering its seventh year of the ‘Fındık Dalda, Aklın İşçide Kalmasın’ project. This initiative connects hazelnut producers directly with seasonal workers to resolve labor shortages and streamline the harvest process.

Market prices for hazelnuts show a gap between the Toprak Mahsulleri Ofisi (TMO) and the free market. TMO has set purchase prices for Giresun quality hazelnuts at 255 TL/kg, while free market rates vary by region, such as 200 TL in Altınordu and lower rates in Trabzon and Sakarya.

Additionally, the TMO has announced a historic move to begin purchasing poppy seeds alongside poppy capsules for the 2026 season. The base purchase price for blue, white, and yellow poppy seeds is set at 140 TL per kilogram. To qualify, producers must have previously delivered poppy capsules to the TMO, with seed sales limited to 10% more than the amount of capsules provided.