In his statement to the AA correspondent, Kiraz reminded that the second crop production estimate for this year was announced by TUIK.
Pointing out that the rains and weather events were positive this season, Kiraz said that this was also reflected in the crop production forecasts.
Stating that a 17.3 percent increase in cherries, grains and other plant products, a 60.8 percent increase in fruits, beverage and spice plants, and a 0.8 percent decrease in vegetables compared to last year, he shared the following information:
"Accordingly, it was predicted that the approximate production amounts would be 78.6 million tons in grains and other plant products, 33 million tons in vegetables, and 31.5 million tons in fruits, beverages and spice plants. It is especially pleasing that wheat production reached 24.8 million tons and barley production reached 10 million tons. Therefore, 24.8 million tons of wheat production is 288 kilograms per person, compared to Türkiye's 250 kilograms per capita. "It easily meets and even exceeds the annual need. This is an extremely positive development in terms of both the food security of our people and the supply of animal feed."
Support request for oilseed plants
Kiraz said that among oilseed plants, only sunflower increased by 22 percent.
"Our foreign deficit in gold-valued oilseed plants, which are used both as food oil and animal feed, will still remain around 50 percent and we will need to import approximately 2.5-3 billion dollars." Kiraz said and continued:
"This situation clearly demonstrates that support and guidance should be given more heavily to oilseed plants. It was predicted that the production amount of fruits, beverage and spice plants will increase by 60.8 percent and reach approximately 31.5 million tons. This year, product prices are lower than expected. It is seen that especially fruits are sold at lower prices compared to previous years. Strengthening intervention purchases in apples and olives, which are still being harvested, will play a critical role in creating price balance."
An increase in olive production is expected
Explaining that the average production amount of olives for many years was around 2 million tons, Kiraz stated that the production amount this year is estimated to be 4.3 million tons.
Kiraz listed the measures that should be taken to prevent farmers from giving up production as follows:
"Intervention purchases should be carried out on time and in a much higher volume this year, and the income of our farmers should be secured. Export channels and incentives should be increased specifically for this year. Annual consumption, which is an average of 2 kilograms per person, should be doubled by providing consumer supports. Incentives in olive oil production and policies to increase consumption should be strengthened. The food security of approximately 100 million people, including 86 million citizens and 15 million tourists and guests, in these ancient Anatolian lands "Providing security is directly a matter of our national security and survival."
