Severe frost conditions in Türkiye have led to predictions of a 50% price increase for certain agricultural products, with potential implications for fruit imports. The frost has caused extensive damage to fruit trees, raising concerns among farmers and experts about price impacts.
Hüseyin Demirtaş, President of the Turkish Agriculturists' Association, indicated that Türkiye might need to import fruit for the first time due to the frost's impact. He stated, "Prices will increase by at least 25 percent, maybe even up to 50%. We are likely to see an increase in food inflation."
Various crops, including apricots, potatoes, apples, sugar beets, cherries, plums, walnuts, and peaches, have suffered damage. Baki Remzi Suiçmez, head of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, forecasts a probable 50% price rise and suggests waiving or deferring farmers' loan interest payments.
Fresh produce prices rose 10.2% in March, with an annualized inflation rate of 62.5%, according to official data.
Source: Daily News