Hazelnut prices have started 2024 with an increase

In the final days of the year, hazelnut prices saw an increase in the free market, following the statements made by AK Party Giresun Deputy Ali Temür during the budget discussions in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, stating that the Grain Board (TMO) would not sell hazelnuts in the market. The prices reached levels around 105 Turkish Lira.

Mustafa Kankaya, a hazelnut market trader in Giresun Center, mentioned that hazelnut prices remained stagnant between 98 and 100 Turkish Lira in the last months of 2023. He stated, 'There were reasons for this, one of which was the threat of the over 100,000 tons of hazelnuts in TMO stocks to the market and the rumors that TMO would sell hazelnuts in the market. As a result of the meetings of our deputies from the AK Party Giresun Province with our Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and the General Manager of TMO in the TBMM Hazelnut Working Group, after the statements of our AK Party Giresun Deputy Mr. Ali Temür during the budget discussions in the parliament that TMO would not sell hazelnuts in the market, hazelnut prices quickly reached 105 Turkish Lira.'

Kankaya stated that, as of today, Giresun quality hazelnuts are traded at 105 Turkish Lira in the free market, while Levant quality is traded between 98 and 100 Turkish Lira. Regarding producers who have not yet sold their hazelnuts, he said, 'If the government's policy on hazelnuts continues in this way, and if excess product is not introduced to the market before the producers sell their hazelnuts, I anticipate that hazelnut prices will continue to rise in the new year.'

Sharing his views on the impact of climate conditions on the upcoming season's harvest, Kankaya said, 'Not experiencing winter fully is crucial for hazelnut farming and the upcoming season's harvest. Although we are traders and not agricultural engineers, based on my experiences, I can say that as of the first week of January, unfortunately, there is still no snow in the center. For hazelnut blossoms to form in our villages, the required, expected cold weather has not yet occurred. If you ask where I see this, we are all hazelnut producers at the same time. When we go to our village on the weekend, we observe the situation of this year compared to the previous year and reach this conclusion. Hazelnut is a very valuable agricultural product for the Black Sea region and our country. The correct timing of climate conditions for the birth, growth, and formation of hazelnuts is of great importance. When weather conditions deviate from seasonal norms, it directly affects hazelnut prices.'