Turkish farmers face economic crisis amid rising costs

Turkish farmers are facing severe economic distress due to rising production costs and low market prices. In Oğuzlar, Talip Karadeniz, a local official, reported that walnut production costs have reached 175–190 TL per kilogram due to increased expenses for fuel, fertilizer, irrigation, and labor. He noted that current selling prices of 200–220 TL per kilogram are insufficient to sustain producers, suggesting a target price of 300–350 TL is necessary for the industry to survive.

In Aydıncık, farmer Sadık Erdoğan reported that consecutive years of losses in crops such as onions and potatoes have forced him to sell his 40-dekar land for 8 million TL to cover debts, despite its 10 million TL valuation. He highlighted a broader trend where farmers are unable to cover costs or find buyers for their produce, leading to significant financial instability within the agricultural sector.