Turkish tea growers demand guaranteed base price amid soaring costs

Turkey ranks first in per‑capita tea consumption and sixth in dry tea production, with about 208,000 registered tea farms. In the Black Sea region, growers say that input expenses—fertiliser, labour, transport and field‑maintenance—have risen sharply while the state‑run ÇAYKUR sets a recommended purchase price of 34.25 kuruş per kilogram. Farmers report selling their tea for roughly 29 lira per ton, far below production costs.

Arhavi Agricultural Office secretary Ümit Özkan Zaim and Artvin farmer Müslim Akbıyık quoted the producers’ frustration, noting that “one ton of tea does not even buy a refrigerator.” Rize grower Metin Posta added that labour shortages and a quota‑based appointment system force sales to the private sector at low margins. The growers are calling for an enforceable base price and the reinstatement of support premiums previously given to tea farmers.