"Chips" and "mama" formula for high yield in apples

Kiraz told the AA correspondent that there was a fruitful period in production this year, with the effect of the rains, and there was a significant increase in the apple yield.

Stating that apple production is expected to increase by 97.4 percent in the 2026 season, reaching 4 million 427 thousand tons, following the losses caused by agricultural frost and drought in 2025, Kiraz said, "However, this table, which was expected to be fruitful, created a negative picture for the apple producer due to the increases in input costs, the contraction in exports and the sharp decrease in purchase prices." he said.

Kiraz said that thousands of tons of product remain on branches or in warehouses in Türkiye's main apple production basins, especially in Isparta, Karaman, Niğde, Antalya's Elmalı and Kahramanmaraş's Göksun districts, and made the following suggestion:

"Industrial apples should not be restricted to only bulk fruit juice concentrate, and apple chips, freeze-dried apples, baby food puree and organic apple cider vinegar processing facilities should be supported on a regional basis. These products with high added value will increase export revenues by extending their storage life."

"Export restrictions should be lifted"

Kiraz, who also suggested the application of a base price, stated that a cost-based base price could be applied for apple purchases made by fruit juice and concentrate factories from producers.

Kiraz stated that Agricultural Credit Cooperatives and relevant public institutions can intervene in the market and make purchases, adding:

"Export restrictions should be lifted in order to thaw high tonnage table apples waiting in warehouses, and new foreign markets should be opened by providing freight support to the exporters. A balanced supply of the product to the market in an 8-month period should be supported by providing state subsidies for the electricity costs of cold storages and the storage costs of producers. Agricultural Producer Unions and Market Laws should also be rearranged."