Fruit and vegetable prices in Turkey usually decrease during the summer months due to increased availability. However, this year, the trend has reversed with prices remaining high. Experts attribute this anomaly to two primary factors: climate change-induced drought affecting Turkey's agricultural output and escalating costs for farmers. For example, in supermarkets, tomatoes and cucumbers are priced around 40 and 50 Turkish Liras per kilogram respectively, while cherries and grapes reach 100 liras per kilogram. The least expensive fruits still command prices no lower than 50 liras per kilogram.
Remzi Suiçmez, president of the Agriculture Engineers' Chambers (ZMO), highlights the significant impact of extreme heat on this year's production, surpassing previous years' challenges. Additionally, rising diesel fuel and transport costs further exacerbate the situation. Suiçmez noted a potential 30 percent reduction in cereal production in the Central Anatolian region and pointed out that losses during transportation also contribute to higher supermarket prices.
In the southern province of Adana, extreme temperatures have adversely affected watermelon, melon, and tomato yields, while vineyards in the western province of Manisa also suffered. Şemsi Bayraktar, head of the Agriculturalists Association of Turkey (TZOB), mentioned that the drought has forced farmers to increase irrigation despite the rising costs. Furthermore, the prices of essential farming inputs, such as fertilizers and diesel fuel, have seen significant increases, with diesel prices alone rising by 78.5 percent annually.
Consumers like Ayten Gürel have felt the pinch, with her weekly market expenses for fruits and vegetables jumping from 500-600 liras last summer to at least 800 liras this year. In June, fresh fruit and vegetable prices saw a 6 percent month-on-month increase, contributing to an annual inflation rate of 78.6 percent for these goods, according to the Central Bank.
[ 10 Liras = €0.28 ]
Source: hurriyetdailynews.com