In Turkey's southern agricultural districts, sharp frosts have disrupted citrus production, with some areas experiencing losses up to 80%. This follows a series of nights where temperatures dropped well below zero in the typically temperate Çukurova region, encompassing the provinces of Adana and Mersin along the Eastern Mediterranean coastal plain, during late February and into March.
Turkey's citrus producers have consequently reduced harvest expectations, which were already impacted by droughts in autumn and winter. Cahit İncefikir, head of the Adana Agriculture Platform, noted that climate change is increasingly influencing primary production. "The Adana region can get cold and frosts, but for the Mersin region to be hit by snow and frost is unprecedented," he stated. "And now, drought conditions have returned, and temperatures have gone up to as much as 31 degrees, after lows of minus nine."
Damage extends beyond citrus crops, affecting younger trees and saplings, while mature trees are expected to yield less next year. Early plantings of tomatoes, potatoes, melons, lettuce, and stone fruits like peaches have also suffered frost damage. These losses may lead to increased inflation in the second quarter, as İncefikir pointed out: "This represents a loss for the country's economy as exports will not happen, and already high food inflation will inevitably go up due to a lack of supply."
Food prices have been a driving factor in inflation, rising 3.8% and 3.1% in January and February 2025, respectively. As climate instability becomes more frequent, İncefikir suggested that growers should consider more durable crops and varieties to sustain production. He also emphasized the importance of investing in Turkey's food storage capacity, highlighting a logistical weakness: "One area we fail in is storage," he said. "Last year, the potato harvest was high, but we had to let some of it rot because of lack of storage. Better warehousing capacity is an important element in protecting against the impact of climate change."
Source: AGBI