In hazelnut, where Turkey ranks first in world production, the troubles of the producers do not end. Hazelnut producers are finding it harder and harder to produce against the price hikes that come with high inflation. Haluk Şensoy, an Agricultural Engineer from Ordu, who creates a hazelnut cost report together with the field investigations he makes every year and examines the expenses of the hazelnut producers pen by pen, explained the details of the 2021 hazelnut cost report he prepared and the expectations of the hazelnut farmers to the Milli Gazete.
“INFORMATION POLLUTION REGARDING HAZELNUT IS MAKING US WORRYING”
Haluk Şensoy reminded that everyone has a voice in the hazelnut harvest determination process.
"First, a very exorbitant yield figure of 780 thousand tons was declared. We were very disturbed by this. An institution came out in Turkey, he said, "There is only 700 thousand tons, there are not that many. After that, another commission entered, and they expressed an opinion as 600 thousand tons. We are suffering in such an information pollution. Since we were worried, we considered these studies as our duty. To get the job done, we've been dealing with numbers for weeks, both in the field and with desk work," he said.
“HOW CAN THE PRICE OF THE PRODUCT THAT WE EXPORT 80 PERCENT DECREASE?”
Comparing the 2021 figures with the figures of the previous year, Haluk Şensoy, "In 2020, the product kilogram price was given as 22 TL. The market was above 22 TL for a couple of months. When the dollar fell, the hazelnut fell, the dollar fluctuated, but the hazelnut price fell again. Although we export 80 percent of the hazelnuts we produce, it is incomprehensible that the price of hazelnuts drops to 20 TL. The hazelnut producer has no chance to withstand this situation. The ton of white manure used in our region is 2.500 TL. White fertilizer, which was used for 2,100 TL in the season, has now increased to 2,500 TL with the effect of inflation. Yield fertilizer, which was bought as 3 thousand liras in the season, has now increased to 5 thousand liras. How will the manufacturer cope with these price fluctuations? How will he ensure production in his garden?" he asked.
“OUR ONLY AIM IS TO ENSURE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF HAZELNUT PRODUCTION”
Şensoy reminded that hazelnut farmers are suffering in a great chaos and uncertainty.
"We have come to such a situation that we do not say that the hazelnut producer should earn more, buy houses and cars, we only want hazelnut farming to be continued. We want the hazelnut producer to cover his expenses, go to his garden happily, and obtain more and better quality products from the unit area. That is our only aim. Under the conditions we have mentioned, the hazelnut producer has no chance to compete. I remind you again, we want to ensure that the hazelnut production, which we have a monopoly in the world, can continue," he added.
“HAZELNUT PRODUCERS ARE IN TROUBLE WITH INTEREST”
Şensoy, who explained the hazelnut cost analysis of 2021 with numbers, said, "We have subtracted the cost of breeding costs, hazelnut harvesting costs, winter fertilizer costs, and plant protection products. Our producers pay interest on all items. Payments to banks and payments made by credit cards reveal the producer's relationship with interest. While the producer earns a total of 1,666 lira per acre, he pays 166 lira annual interest per acre. Moreover, while the income is like this, the total cost of one acre is 1,832 liras."
“THE PRICE TO BE OFFERED BY TMO SHOULD BE 36 TL”
Announcing the offer of the TMO regarding the fee to be announced in July, Haluk Şensoy said, "For the continuity of hazelnut farming, it should be able to sell for at least 36 TL. We especially want all manufacturers to embrace this. Let's get a good price from the first head so that our labor does not melt in the face of inflation. Inflation has risen in our country, it is constantly increasing. Very high cost. TMO will give a price in July. It will melt in a few months. Definitely, after the cost calculations we made, the producer has to sell the hazelnuts for at least 36 TL."