Turkish farmers face ruin as costs soar, demand higher corn prices

Corn farmers in Turkey's Kadirli district are sounding the alarm over crippling production costs, stating that the current prices for their harvest are unsustainable. They are demanding that the price per kilogram of corn be between 20 and 25 Turkish lira.

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The farmer is finished, we are finished. Diesel fuel has doubled, hasn't it? Our corn was 12 lira, now how much is it? The price per kilo should be 20-25 lira this year. What are you talking about harvesting? Look, we are dead. Half of the crop was also hit by floods, it's all finished.

Farmers cite a dramatic increase in essential inputs such as diesel fuel, fertilizer, and labor. "Diesel fuel has doubled," said farmer Hatice Kara. "Our corn was 12 lira, now how much is it? The price per kilo should be 20-25 lira this year." She added that costs for combine harvesters and other expenses are mounting, leaving them unable to recoup their investments. "What are you talking about harvesting? Look, we are dead. Half of the crop was also hit by floods, it's all finished."

Şevket Kara emphasized the need for a minimum price of 20 lira per kilo. "The situation is not good at all," he stated. "There are no prices, diesel fuel is going up endlessly, and the yield is low this year." He pointed out that diesel prices have nearly doubled from 45 lira last year to 80 lira now, while fertilizer costs have also surged. "What will happen? I don't know the fate of this farmer. Last year it was 11-12 lira per kilo, if it's at least 20 lira now, this farmer can straighten his back, otherwise, goodbye to the other side."

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The situation is not good at all, it's not what it looks like. There are no prices, diesel fuel is going up endlessly, and the yield is low this year. What will happen? I don't know the fate of this farmer. Last year it was 11-12 lira per kilo, if it's at least 20 lira now, this farmer can straighten his back, otherwise, goodbye to the other side.

The sentiment among farmers is one of deep despair. Mikail Çöllü declared, "The farmer is dead, we can say the funeral prayer in absentia." He explained that planting costs alone are around 500 lira per decare, and without prices of 20-25 lira per kilo, farmers can barely cover their labor costs, let alone make a profit. Many are contemplating selling their equipment and abandoning farming altogether, facing a future they describe as "death" and "crawling."

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The farmer is shrinking and shrinking. The farmer is dead, we can say the funeral prayer in absentia. This year the kilo of corn should be 25 lira. Combine harvester fees are separate, water fees are separate, seed planting is separate, they charge 500 lira per decare to plant. We are already dead, we will say the funeral prayer in absentia, God willing.