Turkish MP calls for higher import fees to protect kiwi producers

Naci Şanlıtürk, a Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy for Ordu, has raised concerns in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey regarding the economic crisis facing domestic kiwi producers. He reported that while annual production has exceeded 500,000 tons, market prices have plummeted from 80–90 TL per kilogram in 2025 to as low as 40–50 TL in 2026.

Şanlıtürk highlighted that despite a Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry decree prohibiting imports between September 1 and February 15, cheap Iranian kiwi is entering the market through border trade and neighboring countries. He noted that the import fund, which was previously 500 USD per ton, was reduced to 350 USD in 2021, further destabilizing the market.

To ensure sustainable production, the deputy proposed increasing the import fund to 750 USD per ton and called for stricter inspections of border trade to prevent unauthorized products from undermining local farmers.