Trakya Birlik's Purchase Price Falls Below Producer Expectations

September 19, 2026 · GıdaTarım

Trakya Birlik announced its sunflower purchase price for the 2026 season at 37,000 Turkish Lira per ton, but producer representatives stated the price lags behind the free market and demanded a revision.

Trakya Birlik Announces Sunflower Price

Trakya Birlik has officially declared its purchase price for oilseed sunflowers with 44% oil content for the 2026 season at 37,000 Turkish Lira per ton. This represents a 12% increase from last year's price of 33,000 TL. The announced tariff has been met with significant dissatisfaction from producers. Representatives point out that Çukobirlik revised its initially announced price of 35,000 TL to 37,500 TL, suggesting Trakya Birlik should make a similar revision.

Comparison of Free Market and Expectations

Cemal Durmaz, Head of the Uzunköprü Agricultural Chamber, stated that prices in the market were around 39-40,000 TL at the beginning of the harvest, and farmer expectations were in the range of 38-39,000 TL per ton. Addressing those who held onto their product, Uzunköprü Agricultural Chamber Head Cemal Durmaz made the following statement:

'Those who sold their product early in the open market received these prices, but producers who waited, trusting Trakya Birlik, will now sell their product at 37,000 TL.'

Emphasizing that farmers who waited for the Union are burdened by the cost of money due to deferred delivery, Uzunköprü Agricultural Chamber Head Cemal Durmaz continued:

'The Union followed market conditions, but producer expectations were above this.'

Next Season's Production and Representative Criticism

Uzunköprü Agricultural Chamber Head Cemal Durmaz argued that the announced purchase tariff has dampened farmers' enthusiasm for production, expressing his reaction with the following words:

'Unfortunately, these prices announced for oilseeds have put a bomb under the farmer.'

Stating that the Union's management should take a more active role in import and market regulations, Uzunköprü Agricultural Chamber Head Cemal Durmaz issued the following call to officials:

'They did not defend the oilseed producer well enough. They should have explained the producer's situation more strongly to the state, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Trade.'

A warning was issued that producers under high cost pressure might reduce their agricultural operations by using fewer inputs next season, which could lead to yield losses.

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