Fresh Grape Prices Drop, Producers Turn to Drying
· GıdaTarım
Farmers in Denizli's Buldan district, finding the offered purchase prices for fresh grapes too low, have directed their produce to drying racks amidst increasing cost pressures.
Low Prices Drive Produce to Drying Racks
The harvest of early-season seedless Sultaniye grapes has commenced with intense activity in Yenicekent Neighborhood, Buldan district of Denizli. However, producers, finding the fresh grape purchase prices offered by traders in the field to be very low, have shifted their focus to drying production. Farmers, deeply concerned about not receiving a return on their year-long intensive labor, have transported their quality grapes to drying racks. Facing low offers in the fresh market, Buldan's grape producers summarized their situation amidst profound uncertainty with the following statement:
"We are sinking"
Cost Pressure and Price Expectations
Producers emphasized that the costs of essential agricultural inputs such as diesel, fertilizer, pesticides, and labor have been increasing exponentially each season, stating they are being crushed by these input costs. Buldan producers, arguing that the agricultural support provided is insufficient, voiced their reactions with these words:
"Diesel, fertilizer, pesticide, and labor costs are rising. But grape prices are falling. We, the grape producers, are treated like stepchildren."
Producers, who want their products to be sold at a value they deserve, are demanding that the floor price for dried grapes be set at a level that will protect the producer.