Turkish Raisins: Farmers Are Complaining

With the end of the summer months, the extreme heat will gradually start to leave its place to cool weather as of this week. The eyes of the raisin producers, whose compulsory work continues in the vineyards, are in the sky. Because the biggest risk in raisin production is rain and drying processes in Manisa under the sun still continue.

Farmers complain about not getting an appointment with TMO

Of course, in this case, trading companies buy grapes from farmers at prices much lower than the prices given by TMO. Many farmers who cannot get an appointment complain about this situation. Farmers think that they are forced to go to traders by the state, and their effort is wasted because of the products they had to sell at very low prices in this incredible inflation environment.

Making a statement on the subject, TMO General Manager Ahmet Güldal said, “We are opening new warehouses day by day. We also increase the daily appointment amounts according to the potential in the workplaces. We will purchase 2 thousand tons or more per day. In other words, we will increase our daily purchase amounts by close to 100 percent. Our producers do not need to worry. Even if their appointments are in the future, as we open new places and increase our purchase amount, appointments will come forward. Do not worry, farmers who cannot get appointments will be able to create new appointments with capacity increase,”

“European continent is our main trade partner in seedless raisin”

According to the statement made by the Aegean Exporters’ Association, the export of seedless raisins in the 2021-2022 season reached 99 countries. Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters’ Association President Mehmet Ali Işık, whose views are included in the statement, stated that Turkey alone meets 22% of the worldwide production of 1 million 301 thousand tons with a yield of approximately 290 thousand tons in 2021-2022 season.

Stating that seedless raisins are the first export product in product-based export revenue in the Aegean Region, Işık said, “Our sector earns an average of 450 million dollars in foreign currency every year. This year, we exceeded our export target of 200 thousand tons by 25 percent. 33 percent of the world’s exports in seedless raisins. We have exported 345 million dollars to the European continent, which is our main trade partner, with a share of 80 percent. We left behind a satisfactory season in terms of producers and exporters, and we expect a yield of over 300 thousand tons in the 2022-2023 season,” he said.

Today the Usd/TL rate at 18, 29 TL (18,23 last week) and Euro/TL rate is at 18,30 TL levels (18,46 last week).

Exporters are currently offering conventional sultana raisins type 9 for 1.650 – 1.750 Usd/mt FOB basis.