Turkish farmers face economic crisis amid rising costs and falling prices

Agricultural producers across various regions of Turkey are facing a severe economic crisis driven by skyrocketing input costs and plummeting market prices. In the Çukurova region, citrus producers are struggling with the rising costs of fertilizer, fuel, electricity, and labor, leading some to leave their harvests to rot on the branches. Political figures, including CHP Member of Parliament Dr. Müzeyyen Şevkin, have called for urgent government intervention and the restructuring of agricultural loans.

In Manisa’s Sarıgöl district, grape producers are experiencing similar hardships. Despite production costs nearly doubling due to significant increases in diesel and fertilizer prices, the sale price of grapes has dropped sharply. Özgür Özel, leader of the Yeni Parti, proposed a seven-point solution plan to address these issues, including tax reductions on agricultural inputs, interest relief on bank loans, and strengthening cooperatives like TARİŞ.

Additionally, Şemsi Bayraktar, President of the Union of Turkish Agricultural Chambers (TZOB), visited citrus groves in Hatay, noting that while production remains productive, marketing challenges persist. He emphasized that agriculture is a matter of national security and urged for strategic measures to ensure producers remain in the field despite global supply chain disruptions and regional conflicts.