TMO hazelnut purchases surge in Ordu due to price gap

Hazelnut producers in Ordu are increasingly turning to the Turkish Soil Products Office (TMO) to sell their harvests due to a significant price gap between the state institution and the free market. While the free market price for 50-yield shelled hazelnuts is hovering around 180 lira per kilogram, the TMO has set its purchase price at 250 lira, creating a difference of approximately 70 lira per kilogram.

Following the completion of the harvest, producers are using an appointment system to deliver their products to TMO warehouses. Upon delivery, expert teams conduct quality controls and yield measurements. Higher-yield products receive additional payments above the base price; for instance, one producer reported selling hazelnuts with a 53.5 yield for over 260 lira per kilogram.

Farmers have expressed a preference for the TMO due to the price advantage and the perceived reliability of the state-guaranteed purchase system compared to the uncertainty of the free market. Producers also noted that proper garden maintenance and drying conditions are essential for achieving the high yields that command premium prices.