Hazelnut Crisis Deepens: Production Costs Hit 300 Lira

The widening gap between soaring production costs and plummeting market prices for Turkey’s strategic hazelnut crop highlights the severe impact of geopolitical tensions on the agricultural sector. Data presented by CHP Samsun Deputy Murat Çan in Parliament signals a looming crisis for this key export item that sustains millions of producers.

Geopolitical Shockwaves in Agriculture

Rising global tensions are triggering inflationary pressures within local agricultural markets. Specifically, the conflict atmosphere between the US, Israel, and Iran is directly driving up energy and input costs.

■Sharp increases in fertilizer and fuel prices have pushed production inputs to record levels.

■These external shocks are eroding producer margins while weakening the competitive power of strategic commodities like hazelnuts.

The Disequilibrium of Cost and Price

Market data reveals a deep chasm between hazelnut costs and selling prices. The disparity between the "fair price" expected by producers and current market conditions exposes the sector's structural vulnerabilities once again.

■According to analyses by the Akçakoca Chamber of Agriculture, the production cost per kilogram of hazelnuts has reached 242 lira.

■In the southern districts of Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, and Samsun, this cost rises to nearly 300 lira.

■Conversely, the market price for hazelnuts has fallen to 190 lira, well below production costs.

From a fiscal policy perspective, the sustainability of agricultural subsidies against the backdrop of global commodity volatility is critical. Establishing a floor price above cost inflation is imperative not just for farmer retention but as a strategic measure to balance the pressures on the current account deficit. Without structural reforms, temporary solutions will prove insufficient in ensuring stability in agricultural production.