Greenhouse tomato growers in the Seydikemer district in Turkey are dumping their produce on the main coastal road which connects Antalya and Mugla along Turkey’s Aegean coast. They caused the closure of the road as they marched in protest over the price which has fallen to 50-60 kurus a kilo.
In response to the prices being offered by fruit and vegetable wholesalers, around 2,500 growers from the Antalya districts of Kumluova, Karadere, Karakoy, Kinik and Ova gathered in the Cukurincir neighbourhood.
The growers were holding banners protesting the drop in prices, stating that traders buy the produce for 50-60 kurus, it is then sold at the market and in shops for between 3-6 lira. Boxes and boxes of tomatoes were dumped on the ground by growers, which were also supported by a citrus growing group from the Koyceggiz district.
On behalf of the farmers, Kursat Kivrak read a statement in which he explained that they had recently endured very difficult days. Kivrak said that traders are unfairly profiting instead of the growers, who should be supported by the state.
‘’For growers to be able to continue, they need support with seedlings and fertiliser,’’ said Kivrak. He added that another market needs to be created outside of Russia for exports.
(1 Turkish Lira= 0.31 euros)
Source: trthaber.com
