Rising Costs in Food Products Will Affect the Winter Season

It has been reported that food prices will remain high during the winter months due to rising input costs and low farmer subsidies. Agricultural writer Gazi Kutlu drew attention to the difficulties experienced by producers, based on data from the Union of Chambers of Agriculture of Turkey and TUIK.

Increases in Input Costs

Drawing attention to the data from the Union of Chambers of Agriculture of Turkey, agricultural writer Gazi Kutlu stated that significant increases have occurred in items used in agricultural production. It was noted that fertilizer prices increased by rates ranging from 14 percent to 70 percent.

It was recorded that the increase in diesel prices reached 71 percent, while agricultural chemical prices rose by 28 percent. In addition, it was conveyed that the price increase in base fertilizers was over 50 percent, and the new agricultural season began with these high costs.

Winter Vegetable Prices

The cost increases experienced are expected to negatively affect winter vegetable production. It was stated that this situation will be reflected onto consumers, increasing the prices of various vegetable types.

It is anticipated that the prices of winter products such as spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, radishes, beets, cauliflower, leeks, and red cabbage will be high.

Food Inflation and Subsidies

According to TUIK data, annual food inflation dropped to 28 percent even during the summer abundance period, and the high inflation picture is stated to continue into the winter season.

Emphasizing that current agricultural subsidies remain insufficient, it was stated that the 200 billion liras provided to approximately 2.4 million farmers needs to be increased. It was argued that consumer prices will not drop unless producers' costs are reduced.