Recently, the purchase price of hazelnuts was announced as 54 Turkish Liras (TL) by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The hopeful expectation of the hazelnut producer, whose back was bent in the economic crisis, was replaced by disappointment with the so-called good news announced by the President. Agricultural Engineer Haluk Şensoy, who publishes "Hazelnut Cost Analysis" every year, said in a statement he made to the Milli Gazete before the hazelnut purchase price was determined, that the cost of 1 kg of hazelnuts to the producer was 46,86 TL, and the base price for hazelnuts should be 65,60 TL, together with the welfare share. Stating that the announced hazelnut price is an insufficient and vague price for the producer, Agricultural Engineer Haluk Şensoy made remarks on the Milli Gazete.
“IF LATE ERBAKAN HAD LIVED, HE WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE PRODUCER HIS DUE AND CLAIMED THE HAZELNUTS”
Underlining that there is no national stance on hazelnuts, Şensoy said, “When you officially introduced stranger’s son to the country in 2014, you already delivered my hazelnut. You've already lost by making this move. I always say this, if Necmettin Erbakan was in power today, if there was Milli Gorus, would he have delivered the hazelnut to stranger’s son? Conscientious producers also support this argument, rest assured. If the late Erbakan had lived, he would have given the producer his due and claimed the hazelnuts. I can say that this is the summary of the event. Even if the free market was formed in the 50 TL band, inflation in the country is very high. After two or three months, the hazelnut producer will not be able to care for his garden again. He will have a hard time going to his village, getting fertilizer and spraying. May Almighty God help us. Hazelnut farming has been really hard.”
“PRODUCERS LOOKING FOR THEIR RIGHTS ARE SHRIEKING”
Pointing out that the difference to be given to Giresun hazelnut is an important criterion, “I see hazelnut producers divided as well. I also came across the manufacturer who says it's good for 54 TL. Someone who says it is good for this price will say thank Almighty God if it is announced at 40 TL. Conscientious producers, producers who seek their rights are crying out. In the declared figure it says acre support money is included. It is always known in Giresun that it is slightly above the price of Ordu hazelnuts. Last year it was 50 kurus higher. This year, Giresun Chamber of Agriculture President said, ‘We want 5 TL more than the market this year.’ Turkish Grain Board (TMO) was giving more money to Giresun hazelnut than the market. In other words, we will subtract Giresun's share from this 54 TL. We do not know whether the system will give Giresun 50 kurus or 1 TL or 2 TL. It is obvious that the acreage fee is about 2 TL. Now let's subtract 2 TL from 54 TL. If they give Giresun a difference of around 1–2 TL, it drops to 50 levels,” Agricultural Engineer Haluk Şensoy added.
“THIS PRICE WORKED FOR THEIR OWN BUSINESS”
Şensoy stated that the announced price is ambiguous and said, “There has never been such a price announcement. This is the first time such a vague price has been given. I think so, he couldn't give a price and perceptually said 54 TL all of a sudden. They totally misunderstood. This price worked for them. There is 54 TL left on the heads, but we calculate that the producer can sell 1 kg of hazelnuts to TMO for 50-51 TL. How much is the acreage fee? There is also area-based support money within 54 TL. This price remains ambiguous since it is an area-based support money and Giresun is also included in this price. Last year, the price of hazelnuts was 26,50 TL. Giresun hazelnut was 27 TL. Giresun hazelnut had a privilege. We don't know the price to be given to Giresun hazelnuts this year, which is ambiguous. Or will Giresun hazelnut make a difference this year? The people of Giresun will not accept this at all because the President of Giresun Chamber of Agriculture said the difference he expects this year. However, it remained within the price announced in Giresun this year.”
“HAZELNUT PRODUCER IS NOT SATISFIED”
Saying that there are perceptions about hazelnut prices, “The hazelnut producer is not satisfied at all. These events have political legs. There are perceptual situations. No matter what price you give to the producers who own the system, they will like it anyway. However, the producer, who has a good account of his book, knows that this price is cruelty. There's no need to cheat. Now TMO buys Ordu hazelnuts for 51 TL. No matter how many hazelnuts TMO buys, TMO can collect a maximum of 20 percent of the market. In other words, the free market buys 80 percent of the hazelnuts. The manufacturer depends on the trader because TMO has certain criteria. TMO says will not take it if there is moisture at this rate. Not if it's that rotten. TMO's terms of purchase are difficult. The producer prepares the hazelnut and goes in front of the TMO warehouse, but the people who buy it can say that we cannot buy this hazelnut and send it back. Therefore, the producer generally tends to give to the trader. As every year, the market takes 80 percent of the hazelnuts this year," Şensoy added.