Ordu hazelnut producers face market manipulation allegations

Fatih Titiz, the Ordu Provincial Chairman of the İYİ Party, has raised serious allegations regarding manipulation within the hazelnut market. He claims that the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) is using restrictive purchase criteria and changing quality standards to disadvantage local producers.

Titiz noted a significant discrepancy between the government-announced base price of 250 lira and the actual market price, where hazelnuts are reportedly being sold for as low as 170–180 lira. He also highlighted inconsistencies in yield assessments, stating that hazelnuts receiving a 52-yield rating from private traders are being downgraded to 45–46 yields by the TMO.

Furthermore, Titiz criticized the TMO for reducing its purchase quota from 150 kilograms per dönüm last year to 100 kilograms this year. He called for intervention from the Competition Authority and criticized local and national government representatives for failing to protect the interests of hazelnut farmers in the Ordu and Giresun regions.