Sivas harvest to rise 30% after record rainfall boosts wheat and barley yields

Sivas province in Turkey recorded its most intense rainfall in 40 years, filling dams, raising groundwater levels and increasing river flows. The heavy winter and spring rains have created favourable conditions for cereal crops.

Hacı Çetindağ, president of the Sivas Chamber of Agriculture, said the province expects at least a 30% increase in wheat and barley yields compared with the previous year. About 3.85 million decares of wheat and barley are cultivated in the region, and the improved water supply is expected to lift both quantity and quality of the harvest.

Harvest has been delayed by roughly 15 days, but combine harvesters have begun working and are expected to intensify activity next week. Some fields suffered planting delays due to water‑logged soils, causing losses for a few farmers, but overall the outlook is positive and could surpass last year’s record production, contributing to the local and national economy.