Türkiye recently endured one of its harshest agricultural frosts, with temperatures dropping significantly between April 10 and 12, as announced by Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı. "Such unfavorable weather circumstances led to one of the largest agricultural frost occurrences in our history, coming after the major agricultural frost event in 2014," Yumaklı stated on social media.
Temperatures reached as low as minus 15 degrees Celsius in some regions, marking the coldest weather in 30 years. This late frost coincided with the onset of the spring growing season, affecting agricultural production across multiple regions.
In Manisa, a key grape-growing province, nearly 80% of vineyards were damaged. Abdullah Şenol, head of a local chamber of agriculture, warned, "This summer, grapes will be scarce and, if available, very expensive."
Güngör Levent, a local vineyard owner, echoed, "This year is already lost… If we face another frost like this, production will come to a halt."
In Malatya, responsible for 85% of Türkiye's apricot production, widespread losses were reported. Ramazan Özcan, head of the Malatya commodity exchange, noted that nearly all agricultural products, except wheat and barley, suffered damage. He warned that apricot revenue, over $500 million annually, could vanish this year.
Elazığ, another eastern city, saw apricot, walnut, and almond trees impacted by frost and snowfall. Farmers in regions like Bursa and Nevşehir resorted to lighting fires in orchards to protect fruit trees. Despite these efforts, Isparta reported 30% of rose production and 40-50% of cherry, peach, and apricot crops affected.
Tekirdağ and central Çorum also reported damage. The Turkish State Meteorological Service cautioned that the frost threat might persist, raising concerns among farmers.
Source: Daily News