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Adana citrus producers face falling prices and export crisis

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2026-10-13 09:20 UTC → 2026-10-31 10:06 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The lemon harvest in Adana, Turkey, continues to face severe economic and logistical hurdles. While officials initially targeted a yield of 710,000 tons from 218,000 decares of groves, producers are struggling with falling prices and export difficulties. By mid-October, lemon prices dropped to approximately 5 lira per kilogram, down from initial ranges of 8 to 12 lira. Mandarin prices have also declined to between 5 and 7 lira. This deflation is attributed to competition from Argentine and South African imports, as well as the presence of stored products from previous periods. A lack of buyers has even resulted in small lemons, under 55 millimeters, remaining unharvested on trees. Logistical crises persist due to the Russia-Ukraine war, which has disrupted Black Sea maritime traffic. Mehmet Akın Doğan, President of the Yüreğir Chamber of Agriculture, highlighted a massive disparity in shipping costs: road transport to Russia and Ukraine costs between 9,000 and 10,000 dollars, whereas sea transport is significantly cheaper at approximately 3,000 dollars. In response to these challenges, producers have met with Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz to advocate for alternative export routes. Proposed solutions include establishing shipping paths from Mersin and Iskenderun ports to Saint Petersburg and Leningrad, or utilizing railway connections through Hatay’s Erzin and Dörtyol districts toward Georgia. By late October, Doğan issued an urgent call for government intervention, noting that rising input costs and falling prices are creating an economic deadlock. He requested that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry cover 2026 agricultural input costs for affected farmers and ensure the timely payment of Support and Price Stabilization Fund and freight supports.

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