TMO acquires 190,000 tons of hazelnuts in 2.5 months

The Turkish Grain Board (TMO) has purchased approximately 190,000 tons of shelled hazelnuts within the first two and a half months of the 2026 season. This volume represents about one-third of the 604,000-ton national harvest announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The procurement process, which began on August 24, 2026, has involved roughly 152,000 producers.

Officials expect to purchase at least an additional 50,000 tons, with total acquisitions potentially exceeding 240,000 tons by the scheduled season end on December 31, 2026. TMO has stated it will continue purchases as long as product supply remains available.

In response to detected irregularities, TMO is taking legal action regarding the misuse of Farmer Registration System (ÇKS) documents. It was reported that some merchants and grocers attempted to sell hazelnuts purchased from the market to the TMO by using producers' ÇKS documents to claim the products as their own. Under ÇKS regulations, merchants are prohibited from selling products under the status of a producer.

As a penalty, producers found to have allowed the irregular use of their documents will be barred from selling hazelnuts to TMO for two years. Furthermore, TMO is initiating administrative and legal proceedings against merchants and intermediaries involved in these actions. Criminal complaints are expected to be filed with public prosecutors under provisions regarding qualified fraud and forgery of official documents.