Sharp Reaction to Sunflower Customs Duty Cut Initiative
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As the harvest continues in Thrace, Dr. İlhami Özcan Aygun reacted to the import lobbies' attempt to move the customs duty cut to October 1st, calling for the protection of local farmers and a premium support of 3 TL per kilogram.
Pressure on Sunflower Import Duties
While the harvest of sunflowers, known as the 'yellow bride' in Thrace, continues, initiatives that would put local producers in a difficult position through customs duties have emerged. CHP Tekirdağ Deputy Dr. İlhami Özcan Aygun, who inspected fields in the Muratlı district of Tekirdağ, stated that import lobbies are trying to advance the date for reducing the customs duty on sunflower seeds from November 30th to October 1st.
Stating that an early reduction in customs duty would harm producers, CHP Tekirdağ Deputy Dr. İlhami Özcan Aygun made the following assessment:
"They played the same game last year. They've pressed the button this year too. Import lobbies have mobilized to move the customs duty applied to sunflower products (seeds) from November 30th to October 1st. By reducing the duty from 20% to 12% this way, local producers will suffer significant losses during the harvest season."
Yield Expectation and Premium Demand
Emphasizing that producers need to be supported in the face of rising costs, Aygun drew attention to the market's yield situation and requested the reintroduction of support measures that were abolished two years ago. CHP Tekirdağ Deputy Dr. İlhami Özcan Aygun said the following regarding the harvest expectation:
"This year, an average of 1.7 million tons of sunflower harvest is expected in Turkey. If farmers cannot make money from what they plant this year, why would they plant next year?"
Arguing that sunflower producers need immediate support, CHP Tekirdağ Deputy Dr. İlhami Özcan Aygun explained the premium demand with the following words:
"The sunflower premium support should be at least 3 TL per kilogram. Similarly, premium support should be provided for wheat and barley."
Call to Ministries to Protect Domestic Producers
Aygun warned the economic and agricultural management, stating that attempts are being made to create speculation in the sector and open the doors for imports early. Addressing the Ministry of Trade, CHP Tekirdağ Deputy Dr. İlhami Özcan Aygun said:
"Don't fall for the games of two factory owners. You are being pressured by citing the rise in sunflower oil market prices due to speculative movements. Don't fall for this game."
Emphasizing that the ministries should look out for the domestic producer, CHP Tekirdağ Deputy Dr. İlhami Özcan Aygun continued his call:
"There are companies exerting great pressure on the Ministry of Trade. They will harm the farmers who are harvesting by reducing the customs duty from 20% to 12% through this method. I am calling out to the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Protect the Turkish farmer, not the Russian and Ukrainian producer!"
Continuing to address the authorities, CHP Tekirdağ Deputy Dr. İlhami Özcan Aygun concluded his remarks by stating that they will follow the process:
"Don't fall for this game yourselves. Defend the farmer's rights. Is it the Turkish farmer, or the Russian farmer? The Bulgarian farmer, the Ukrainian farmer, the Romanian farmer? For us, it's the Turkish farmer. We will follow this to the end."