Turkish Agricultural Chambers' Union (TZOB) Chairman Semsi Bayraktar, reported that the price difference between producers and retailers for parsley in November was 5.1 times, potatoes 4 times, mandarins, courgettes and dried figs 3.6, cucumbers and dried apricots 3.2 and apples 3.1 times. He shared the following information: “Today parsley costs 6 Euro cents from the producer and 40 cents in the shops.”
Dried figs saw the biggest drop in store prices
Bayraktar states, “Dried fig prices decreased by 13.48%, dried apricots by 10.38%, lemon 10.23%, apples 1.99%, parsley 1.63%. In stores spring onions increased the most in price by 37.04%, lettuce by 20.78%, onions by 19.99%, tomatoes by 16.08%, cabbage by 15.39%, hazelnuts by 13.43%. In November aubergines also increased in price by 9.16%, leeks by 8.63%, cucumber by 7.73%, mandarins by 5.19%, carrots by 5.05% and spinach by 5.01%.”
From the producers, apples fell the most in price
For the producers in November, Bayraktar reports that the price of lettuce, raisins and dried figs was unchanged. For the month, apple prices fell the most by 27.63%, potatoes by 24.82%, parsley by 20%. Bayraktar added “Spring onion prices increased the most for producers by 75.25%, tomatoes by 63.87%, cauliflower by 26.40%, spinach 21.05%, aubergine 18.31%, cabbage 17.51%, leeks 14.50%, peppers 13.16%, and pistachio 10.53%. Carrots also increased in price by 9.29%, lemons 7.84%, and cucumbers 6.17%.”
Reasons for increases and decreases producers’ prices
Bayraktar explains that the steepest price increase seen in spring onions is due to the crop being between harvests, and the decreased amount of the vegetable is then the reason for the high price. Bayraktar explains, “Greenhouse supply of tomatoes are beginning and this has opened the road to price increases. The harvest of vegetables like spinach, leeks and cauliflowers has just started and the cabbage harvest in the important growing region of Nigde has just been completed and this is reflected in the prices. Potato prices have fallen due to warm weather affecting the quality of the yield, as well as an increase seen in yield, together this has opened the road to a drop in prices. The drop in apple prices is connected to the lack of demand.”
“Problems with Russia could affect exports”
Bayraktar drew attention to the fact that problems being experienced with Russia will negatively affect imports and this will be reflected in damages to the producers. Ultimately the farmers will be the victims of the situation and need support to maintain production in these difficult times.
