Sunflower and Paddy Producers Await Floor Prices

September 25, 2026 · Tarım Pusulası

CHP Deputy Chairman Orhan Sarıbal called for a floor price system for sunflower and paddy producers due to rising costs and import quotas during the harvest season.

CHP Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal evaluated the effects of areas removed from forest regime on the ecosystem and the problems of producers at a press conference held at the CHP Headquarters. Stating that approximately 4,300 hectares (43 million square meters) of land in 27 provinces were removed from forest boundaries by Presidential Decree dated September 17, 2026, and numbered 11787, Orhan Sarıbal noted that a large part of this loss was in Ankara Kızılcahamam. Emphasizing that the area removed from forests since 2018 has reached 9,600 hectares, CHP Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal made the following assessment:

Sarıbal stated that at least double the removed area, namely 8,600 hectares of Treasury land, should be allocated for forestation. CHP Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal continued his call for oversight with the following words:

Stating that sunflower producers are caught between high input costs and low purchase prices, Orhan Sarıbal reported that the production cost per kilogram varies between 33-38 Lira, approaching 40 Lira in low-yield areas. Referring to the purchase prices announced by the unions, Sarıbal recalled that Trakya Birlik offered 37 Lira, Çukobirlik offered 37.50 Lira, and Konya Şeker offered 36.50-37.50 Lira for products with 44% oil content. Pointing out that Trakya Birlik's price increase was only 12.1% compared to last year, Sarıbal argued that diesel, fertilizer, and irrigation costs exceeded this increase. Noting that the agricultural credit debt of farmers has exceeded 1.5 trillion Lira and the 2 Lira support per kilogram is insufficient, CHP Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal said:

Arguing that foreign trade decisions implemented during the harvest period harm domestic producers, Orhan Sarıbal stated that a tariff quota was opened with the decision dated July 4, 2026, for 1 million 250 thousand tons of oilseed sunflower seeds or 500 thousand tons of crude sunflower oil. Stating that these import steps directly suppressed domestic product prices during the harvest period, CHP Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal conveyed his criticisms as follows:

Sarıbal announced that Turkey paid $9.7 billion for the import of 16.5 million tons of sunflower seeds and $18.2 billion for 15.9 million tons of crude sunflower oil from 2003 to May 2026, stating that the total bill reached $27.9 billion.

Orhan Sarıbal stated that to ensure the sustainability of sunflower production, a floor price system based on regional yield, oil content, and input costs should be adopted before harvest, and requested that premiums be announced before planting. Sarıbal expressed that imports should be limited to periods when domestic production is insufficient and that production planning offering a five-year outlook to the producer should be implemented. He conveyed that expanding the financing opportunities for cooperatives and producer unions and increasing licensed warehousing and processing capacity are essential for market balance.

Criticizing that the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) has not yet announced its purchase price and schedule for the 2026 harvest despite the start of the paddy harvest, Orhan Sarıbal stated that the kilogram cost for paddy is between 41-48 Lira, with the average cost rising to 45-46 Lira. Reminding that TMO announced the 2025 product prices on January 23, 2026, months after the harvest, as 40 Lira for Baldo, 38 Lira for Cammeo, and 32 Lira for Osmancık, CHP Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal issued the following warning:

Stating that for 2026, a base support of 825.75 Lira per decare and a certified seed support of 550 Lira are provided for paddy, Orhan Sarıbal noted that this support amounts to approximately 1.97 Lira per kilogram when a yield of 700 kilograms per decare is achieved. CHP Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal said the following regarding insufficient support:

Sarıbal emphasized that Turkey has the potential for self-sufficiency with an annual rice production of 600,000 tons, and that irrigation electricity costs should be reduced, drought-resistant seeds should be supported, and payments should be made within 10 days. CHP Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal concluded his assessment with the following words:

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