FARMER-SEN Criticizes 2026 Grape Purchase Prices

September 16, 2026 · TMO

FARMER-SEN reported that despite the yield loss in grapes for the 2026 season, the purchase prices announced by TMO and TARİŞ remain below production costs.

Yield Loss Increased in Dried Grapes

In a statement released by the Farmers' Union (ÇİFTÇİ-SEN), it was reported that producers experienced significant yield loss in the 2026 dried grape season. According to the union's assessment, insufficient ripening of the produce directly reduced drying efficiency. While in previous years, 5 to 5.5 kilograms of fresh grapes were sufficient to obtain 1 kilogram of dried grapes, it was stated that in the 2026 season, the amount of fresh grapes required for the same amount of dried product has risen to the level of 7 to 7.5 kilograms.

Fresh and Dried Grape Prices Declined

According to the union's data, despite rising production costs, grape prices have seen sharp declines. The price of fresh grapes for drying, which traded at 16-18 TL/kg last year, started the 2026 season at 11 TL/kg and quickly dropped to the 7-8 TL/kg range. Following the announced seedless dried grape prices of 120 TL per kilogram and above in 2024 and 2025, the purchase prices announced this season have fallen far short of producer expectations.

Reaction to TARİŞ and TMO Policies

In its statement, ÇİFTÇİ-SEN criticized TARİŞ's announced advance price of 80 TL/kg for 2026 and TMO's announced purchase price of 90 TL/kg. It was claimed that TARİŞ only purchased products from indebted members in exchange for their debts, while TMO allegedly denied purchase appointments to producers, citing the 'table grape' and 'drying grape' distinction in ÇKS records. The union argued that this bureaucratic obstacle, not applied in previous years, is directing producers towards traders.

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