Grape producers called out to the government: 'Farmers' debts should be postponed without interest'

Grape producers in Dindarlı District of Manisa's Sarıgöl district keep their products in vineyards and trailers because they cannot find buyers.

Producers stated that wine grape purchases have stopped and prices have dropped to 4 lira at some points; He stated that they could not afford diesel, fertilizer, medicine, irrigation and labor expenses and could not pay their debts.

Grape producer Rasim Varol said that he filled three trailers with the grapes he collected from his vineyard, but could not sell them because there were no purchases. Stating that the trucks did not come to buy wine grapes, Varol said, "The wine truck does not come, there are no buyers. We are just waiting. It's a shame for those trailers. But there is nothing we can do."

Another producer, who said that prices were not given for their grapes, said, "No one is paying, they are not buying. What will happen this year? I swear, we don't know either."

"NO ONE TELLS YOU TO TAKE IT FOR FREE"

Another producer stated that the grapes had no value even on their branches and that it had become impossible to find a buyer. Stating that there are no buyers for the product even at the level of 5-10 lira, the producer said, "There is no one in the branch who buys 5 lira, there is no one selling for 10 lira. There is no one who wants to take it for free. I swear to God, let's see, we don't know what will happen. There is nothing to do."

Another producer said that he had approximately 120 tons of grapes but could not sell any of them. Stating that no price was given for wine grapes, the producer expressed that he was worried about not being able to pay his debts.

Female producers also drew attention to the increasing costs. A female farmer, who stated that last year wine grapes were bought for 20 liras, this year the price dropped to 4-5 liras, said, "I will sell 5 kilos of grapes and buy a loaf of bread. I am not alone at home, so I can live on a loaf of bread. What is our fault, what is our sin?" he said.

CALL FOR SUPPORT TO FARMERS

Sarıgöl Mayor Tahsin Akdeniz; He visited producers in Dindarlı, Dadalı and Alamşan neighborhoods and listened to their problems. Stating that seedless Sultaniye grapes are grown on 110 thousand decares of approximately 190 thousand decares of agricultural land in Sarıgöl, Akdeniz said that viticulture requires labor and expense throughout the year.

Stating that the costs of diesel fuel, pesticides and labor have tripled, Akdeniz requested that the price be set at least 15 lira per kilogram for wine grapes and 25-30 lira for fresh table grapes. Emphasizing that producers cannot pay their debts, Akdeniz requested that farmers' debts be postponed without interest for at least 4-5 years.

“SEE THE CONDITION OF THE FARMER ON THE SITE”

Stating that some producers had to throw their grapes on the ground due to low prices, Akdeniz said, "Farmers are now cutting their grapes on the ground. They do not want to give them to companies that buy suma for three or four liras. It does not save their labor. Please, save our farmers from this disgrace."

He invited the Minister of Mediterranean, Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumaklı, to Sarıgöl and asked him to see the problems experienced by the producers on site.

Calling on Manisa MPs without discrimination of party, Akdeniz demanded that the grape purchasing problem be solved, the producers be compensated for their labor and the debt burden be eased.