Global warming and the drought it brings with it negatively affect fruit and vegetable production. While the winter harvest continues in Torbalı, one of Turkey’s winter vegetable warehouses; Due to drought, production decreased significantly compared to the previous year. Broccoli production, which was 20 thousand 845 tons in 2023, decreased by 59 percent this year to 8 thousand 550 tons. Leek production, which was 26 thousand 200 tons last year, decreased by 9.7 percent to 23 thousand 670 tons, and cauliflower production, which was 8 thousand 550 tons in 2023, decreased by 20 percent to 6 thousand 845 tons.
‘IT ALSO REFLECTS ON THE MARKET’
Evaluating the decrease in production, Torbalı Chamber of Commerce President Abdulvahap Olgun said that the decrease in production had a negative impact on the market. Olgun said, “Turkey’s first winter vegetables grow in Torbalı. This is where the seedlings, especially leeks, broccoli and cabbage, first land on the ground. We meet 70 percent of the Aegean Region’s winter vegetable needs in Torbalı. However, this year’s increasing drought “There is a serious decrease in the production of products due to the increase in input costs and this situation is reflected in the market and causes winter vegetables to be sold expensively,” he said.
‘PRODUCERS CANNOT HANDLE IT’
Stating that irrigation had to be done because the rain was not at the desired level, Olgun said, “Winter vegetables need to be irrigated. However, since there is no rain, the farmer has to water himself. The decrease in groundwater and the lack of cold weather are among the important factors in the decrease in production. We have reached the end of November. But the weather “In this weather, winter vegetable consumption is also low. While there is already an increase in input costs, producers cannot cope with the cost of irrigation,” he said.
‘PRODUCT TYPES ARE CHANGING’
Emphasizing that production in the region has started to change due to climate change, Olgun said, “We are seeing the effects of climate change. Agricultural production will continue to seriously affect our lives. Some products in our region will begin to stop growing in the coming years. Products grown in the Mediterranean Region will grow. Banana and dragon fruit will continue to grow in our region.” “I guess after a certain period of time, winter vegetables may stop growing here,” he said.
‘Both the consumer and the producer complain’
Abdi Karateke, a farmer in the region, said that both producers and consumers had a difficult year due to the drought. Karateke said, “We have been farming for about 40 years, from grandfather to grandson. This year, due to the effect of drought, we experienced a serious decrease in the cultivation areas. That is why the prices of the products have increased in the market. Because irrigation and electricity costs have increased. We are having a bit of a difficult year. Consumers are also complaining about the prices. Drought “It is increasing its effect every year. There are producers who are gradually starting to change their crops,” he said.
