Last year cold and frost caused a 25% decrease in mandarin yields, connected to this, the consumer price for the citrus fruit is expected to increase by 50%.
Izmir: Seferihisar Mandarin Manufacturers Association Chairman, Cumhur Eris, made a statement to an Anadolu Agency reporter as they opened the mandarin season at the end of October. Due to the cold and frost in December of last year, a fall in yield of 25% was expected, Eris stated, “Last year we experienced a very severe frost, trees split. The split trees needed attention, which the growers didn’t give because it is unprofitable. This is the source of the losses.”
Eris continued, “25%, even 35% of current demand is missing and because of this situation the product becomes more valuable. This will be seen by the consumer as a 50% increase. Last year the price was on average €0.60, this year we expect it to be €0.90. This year producers will receive a comfortable price for their goods, but because of the lack of product, they will not be able to earn as much as last year.”
“Damaging to growers again”
The mandarin yield in the Aegean region last year amounted to around 210,000 tons, this year 152,000 tons of produce is expected, stated Eris. The majority of producers in Seferihisar have already found buyers for their goods. Last year growers earned around 13 cents a kilo, this year it will be around 22 cents, yet growers will not profit from this because there is not a lot of product. There are enough mandarins for the domestic market explains Eris, adding: “In Turkey if everyone ate a mandarin a day for 100 days, there would not be enough. Exports are very important, but they will also fall this year. Due to both our country’s economic situation and problems in our relations with our neighbours, we believe there will be less exports this year.”
Source: ulkehaber.com
