In Cukurova, Mersin, a cold winter and the first snow for many years, has affected citrus products the most; lemons are expected to become even more expensive as the lowest yield in 10 years is forecast.
Mersin Citrus Producers Association (MERTUB) Chairman, Ahmet Dursen Sahin, made a statement to an Anadolu Agency reporter, concerning the beginning of the new citrus season harvest.
Sahin states that there is expected to be a serious drop in yield this season, “We think it will be the lowest yield for 10 years. This is due to it snowing in the winter here and the very unpredictable weather. One day it was cold, one day sunny, one day rainy, which damaged the trees in the fruit setting stages. Unfortunately this has prevented an adequate level of production.”
Sahin underlines that naturally, the low yield will be reflected in the prices; the high price of lemons has been frequently reported this year. From the orchards the price of lemons per kilo ranges from €0.44-48, Sahin states, “I think this price will increase further because citrus production is so low this year. We will compensate for the low yields with high prices. Prices have exceeded last year's. Compared to last year, we think that the peak price will be higher. We don’t want to anger the consumers, but if the yield is low and the prices aren’t high, then we will experience problems.”
Sahin states that the yield in Mersin and Adana is experiencing something like a 40% drop, due to the low yield, the prices need to be high to save growers.
“We want consumers to have cheap lemons”
According to Sahin the biggest problem is that a kilo of lemons that are sold for €0.48 from the branches appear on the markets for €2.50-2.80, he continues: “In summer we saw lemons sold for €2.50-2.80. We are really suffering from this. People thought that producers were earning huge money. Lemon is a medicinal fruit, we would like everybody to be able to buy it. We want the prices to reduce to normal, but if we sell for €0.48 we can survive. We need to give cooperatives and growers association the authorisation to eliminate this price situation. Growers need to reach the producers with their products themselves. We also need to enter the halls and markets.”
“Snow directly damaged citrus”
Farmer Huseyin Sarikose said that compared to last year, production this year is a lot lower. This winter was the first time such cold months were seen, Sarikose explains, “Snow directly damaged citrus. The snow here this year adversely affected the citrus trees. We think prices will be higher than last year. We do not benefit from the high prices. Generally, it is the agents that profit.”
