Harvest losses mount as Türkiye faces one of its toughest years for fresh produce

Türkiye’s fresh produce industry is facing heavy losses this year as a combination of spring frosts, drought, and extreme summer heat damages orchards and fields across the country.

According to the Union of Turkish Chambers of Agriculture (TZOB), frost earlier in the year struck 65 provinces, while ongoing drought and record temperatures have since deepened the crisis.

Citrus production is among the hardest hit: industry forecasts suggest orange and mandarin harvests could fall by 30–50 percent depending on the region, with lemon yields also under threat. In the Çukurova region, low rainfall and depleted reservoirs, combined with scorching summer heat, have reduced both quality and quantity of fruit.

Hazelnuts — a key export crop — are also at risk. While the Agriculture Ministry projected a 449,000-ton harvest, TZOB president Şemsi Bayraktar warned actual volumes will likely be much lower due to drought-stressed orchards.

Producers are facing higher input costs alongside reduced volumes, which is expected to keep prices high through the winter season.

Bayraktar has called for urgent government support, including direct financial aid and loan restructuring, to help fresh produce growers weather the losses and safeguard future supply.

source: hurriyetdailynews.com

photo: turkiyetoday.com