Agricultural Frost Reduces Walnut Harvest in Oğuzlar
· GıdaTarım
Following a severe agricultural frost in the Oğuzlar district of Çorum, the walnut harvest yield has dropped from 7,000 tons to approximately 2,000 tons.
Significant Drop in Harvest Due to Frost Impact
The negative effects of the agricultural frost that occurred on April 11, 2025, continue to be felt in the Oğuzlar district of Çorum, which accounts for approximately 8% of Turkey's total walnut production. The expected harvest yield has significantly decreased due to drying in tree branches and subsequent yield loss.
Oğuz Hantal, Chairman of the Çorum Walnut Producers Association, stated that they have experienced losses for two seasons with the geographically indicated Oğuzlar walnuts, and made the following assessment:
"We harvested nearly 7,000 tons of walnuts in 2024. This year, we expect to harvest around 2,000 tons of walnuts. Our yield has decreased this year due to the impact of the frost in 2025. However, new buds have formed on the trees this year after the fruit buds. If there is no new agricultural frost, we hope to reach 90% harvest levels next year."
Harvest Preparations and Future Expectations
Producers have completed all maintenance and irrigation work in their orchards and are making final preparations for the harvest season, which will begin on September 5. The collection process for the geographically indicated product, which is among the first walnut varieties harvested in Turkey, takes approximately 20 days.
Providing information about the harvest calendar, Oğuz Hantal, Chairman of the Çorum Walnut Producers Association, shared the details of the process:
"We have finished all the maintenance of the walnut trees, completed the irrigation, and started preparations for the harvest. Oğuzlar walnuts are among the first walnut varieties harvested in Turkey. We will start harvest work from September 5. Our harvest period lasts for about 20 days. We will completely finish our harvest process by the beginning of October."