Turkish tomato producers face losses due to rising input costs

CHP Niğde Deputy and TBMM Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Affairs Commission Member Ömer Fethi Gürer has highlighted the financial struggles facing tomato producers in Turkey. Despite an average annual production of 14 million tons, which supports significant exports of fresh tomatoes, paste, and dried products, producers are reportedly unable to earn a profit due to rising input costs.

Gürer noted that expenses such as fertilizer, seeds, pesticides, and irrigation water are driving up costs. Labor costs have also risen, with daily wages reaching up to 1,200 lira. These factors, combined with regional variations in irrigation expenses, have made production increasingly difficult.

Wholesale tomato prices currently fluctuate between 3 and 8 lira depending on the province, with lower prices typically found in areas with larger production volumes. Gürer emphasized the need for regional planning to address these economic challenges and ensure producers can receive fair value for their crops.