According to Edip Sevinc, the chairman of the Hazelnut and Hazelnut Products Exporter Association (KFMIB), in the first two months of the hazelnut export season, the quantity has seen an increase of 16,875 tons and the value has increased by $116,455,924.
In a statement, Sevinc revealed that for the first two months of the 2015-2016 export season, Turkey realised 61,698 tons of hazelnut exports to the value of $604,280,519. In the same period last year, Turkey exported 44,823 tons of hazelnuts which earned $487,824,595 in foreign exchange.
Sevinc considers the increase in volume and profits compared to last year to be a positive result of the free market regime, he stated:
“More than anything, the increase in the volume of exports and income, shows the success of the free market regime. Everyone thought that in a free market, in the case of high yields, prices would fall. Now people are coming out from under the government’s tutelage. They are taking possession of their own goods and dictating prices themselves. I think that profits from Turkey’s hazelnut exports will increase further.”
In spite of the high volume of exports this season, Turkey’s hazelnut exports are still not at the desired level, Sevinc states, “The exports are still not at the desired level, but it is still early in the season. If things continue as they are, we think there will be positive results for all stakeholders,” he said.
Sevinc expects that hazelnut export volumes this season will reach around 275,000 tons, yet the free market comprises of high prices which could pose a problem for reaching the desired level of exports.
Sevinc explains that recently foreign buyers have been looking to alternative markets outside of Turkey, which means that it is essential to take the necessary measures for handling the global market, such as giving assurance to foreign buyers.
On the subject, he said, “Turkish hazelnut production and sales are dependent on foreign buyers. A buyer purchasing a very large quantity of nuts will shop around, what could be more natural? This is normal. We need to say to our buyers: ‘we are here, you don’t need to go anywhere else, we are your guarantee.’ To prevent our customers turning anywhere else we need to improve the production and yields of hazelnuts in Turkey.”
