Turkish farmers face economic pressure from rising costs and low crop prices

Agricultural producers in Turkey are facing significant economic challenges due to rising input costs and fluctuating market prices for various crops.

Orhan Sarıbal, Deputy Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), has called for the establishment of a mandatory floor price for sunflowers before the harvest begins. He noted that production costs for sunflowers currently range between 33 and 38 TL per kilogram and argued that price mechanisms should apply to both state institutions and the private sector.

In the Edirne region, agricultural chambers have reported that producers of wheat, canola, sunflower, and rice are under intense pressure. While wheat yields are stable, the gap between the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) prices and free market rates has caused significant hardship for farmers.

Other sectors show similar volatility. Hazelnut producers in the Black Sea region are monitoring regional price differences, with rates varying between 170 and 190 TL per kilogram. Meanwhile, plum producers in Afyonkarahisar are struggling as prices have plummeted from 35 TL to as low as 3-4 TL per kilogram, making harvesting costs exceed potential revenue. In Malatya, chickpea farmers are considering abandoning planting next year due to the high costs of fuel, fertilizer, and pesticides relative to low selling prices.