TZOB President Bayraktar: Our children cannot consume enough dairy products

He evaluated price changes between producers and markets in May, monthly and annual changes in input prices, the latest developments in grain harvesting, and expectations for the dairy sector on the occasion of June 1, World Milk Day.

"DRIED FIGS FOLLOWED BY LEMONS WITH A 284.6 PERCENT PRICE GAP"

Stating that the highest price gap between producer and market in May was seen in dried figs at 293.9 percent, Bayraktar said, "The price gap in dried figs was followed by lemons at 284.6 percent, cucumbers at 247.3 percent, apples at 233.5 percent, and onions at 213.2 percent. Dried figs were sold for 3.9 times the price, lemons 3.8 times, cucumbers 3.5 times, apples 3.3 times, and onions 3.1 times the producer price. Dried figs, which were 115 liras at the producer, were sold for 452.99 liras in the market; lemons, which were 7.5 liras, were sold for 28.84 liras; cucumbers, which were 7.5 liras, were sold for 26.05 liras; apples, which were 10.70 liras, were sold for 35.69 liras; and onions, which were 6.25 liras, were sold for 19.58 liras."

Bayraktar stated that the product with the highest price increase in the market in May was carrots, while the product with the highest price increase at the producer level was eggplant, adding that the product with the highest price decrease in both the market and at the producer level was onions.

"The product with the highest price increase in the market in May was carrots at 34.7 percent"

Evaluating market prices, Bayraktar noted that out of 35 products, 22 saw price increases, 12 saw price decreases, and 1 remained unchanged, stating the following:

"The product with the highest price increase in the market in May was carrots at 34.7 percent. The price increase in carrots was followed by lemons at 16.6 percent, eggplant at 16.3 percent, eggs at 15 percent, and pistachios at 13 percent. The product with the highest price decrease in the market was onions at 21.6 percent. The price drop in onions was followed by chicken meat at 15.5 percent, green peppers at 12.7 percent, tomatoes at 9.7 percent, and green onions at 9.2 percent."

"THE HIGHEST PRICE DECREASE AT THE PRODUCER LEVEL WAS SEEN IN ONIONS AT 34.2 PERCENT"

Evaluating producer prices, Bayraktar noted that in May, prices increased for 3 out of 27 products, decreased for 13, and remained unchanged for 11, stating: "The sharpest decline in producer prices was seen in dry onions at 34.2 percent. The price drop in dry onions was followed by cucumbers at 31 percent, apples at 23 percent, dried apricots at 22.2 percent, zucchini at 21 percent, and tomatoes at 19.9 percent. The highest increase in producer prices was seen in eggplants at 41.5 percent. The price increase in eggplants was followed by potatoes at 25 percent and eggs at 19.1 percent."

Evaluating the changes in producer prices, Bayraktar provided the following statements:

"The harvest of early-variety dry onions began as of April. Due to air temperatures being above seasonal norms, maturation occurred early for standard varieties as well. With the inability to store the early variety and the resulting increase in supply, the price of dry onions fell below last year's levels, dropping to 6 lira and 25 kurus. The price decreases in cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, and green onions were caused by the increase in supply due to the transition to field production. A decrease in demand led to the drop in apple and dried apricot prices.

The price increase in eggplants was due to a supply shortage caused by the transition period from greenhouses to fields. The rise in potato prices was caused by a decrease in supply due to the inability to conduct intensive harvesting because of excessive rainfall. The price increase in eggs was caused by changes in supply and demand."

Evaluating the changes in monthly and annual input prices for May, Bayraktar spoke as follows:

"According to price data we received from input markets through our Chambers of Agriculture; in May, compared to April, 20.20.0 compound fertilizer increased by 0.1 percent, while UREA fertilizer fell by 5 percent, DAP fertilizer by 1.1 percent, ammonium sulfate fertilizer by 0.9 percent, and ammonium nitrate fertilizer by 0.7 percent.

Compared to May of last year, over the last year, ammonium sulfate fertilizer increased by 56.4 percent, UREA fertilizer by 35.6 percent, ammonium nitrate fertilizer by 32.2 percent, DAP fertilizer by 30.1 percent, and 20.20.0 compound fertilizer by 29.4 percent.

In May, compared to April, fattening feed increased by 1.7 percent and dairy feed by 1.5 percent; over the last year, fattening feed increased by 43.8 percent and dairy feed by 45.9 percent. While electricity prices increased by 19.8 percent annually, agricultural pesticide prices rose by 66.6 percent. Although diesel prices fell by 1.7 percent monthly, they increased by 109 percent on an annual basis, becoming the agricultural input with the highest annual price increase, as has been the case in recent months."

Noting that a 5.4 percent decrease is expected in cereal production, Bayraktar continued his speech as follows:

"According to the first forecast data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), plant production is expected to increase by 0.8 percent compared to last year, reaching 138 million tons this year. The data indicates that total cereal production will decrease by 5.4 percent compared to last year.

Within the cereal category, production is estimated to decline by 8.7 percent for barley, 5.6 percent for corn, and 4.5 percent for wheat. It is observed that wheat cultivation areas have decreased by 13.7 percent over the last 10 years. This decline shows a shift away from wheat production. While wheat cultivation areas are shrinking, there is an increase of 20.5 percent in barley cultivation areas, 45.1 percent in corn, and 24.7 percent in fruit-growing areas.

Wheat is our strategic product that holds an important place in the nutrition of our country's people. In years when wheat production in our country decreases and import costs rise, prices for flour-based products, especially bread, which is the staple food of the public, increase. Increasing wheat cultivation areas and protecting stocks against potential global risks is always of great importance."

"OUR CHILDREN CANNOT CONSUME ENOUGH DAIRY PRODUCTS"

Making statements regarding June 1st, World Milk Day, Bayraktar spoke as follows:

"Our country ranks 2nd in the world in sheep milk production, 6th in goat milk production, and 10th in cow milk production. The dairy sector accounts for more than half of the animal production value in our country. Our children cannot consume enough milk and dairy products and are not eating healthily. These products are not reaching children from low-income families in particular. School milk programs are very important for the physical and mental development of all children.

Milk, which is vital for human health, is also the most important locomotive product of the livestock sector. Solutions must be found for the ongoing problems in the dairy sector, which holds an important place in human nutrition and meeting protein needs."

Instead of suppressing milk prices, feed prices should be brought under control, and roughage and concentrated feed should be provided to our milk producers, especially our small family businesses, at reasonable prices. Resolving the problems experienced in production will pave the way for our competitiveness in international markets. Our goal should be to increase our production of milk and dairy products and bring our uniquely high-quality dairy products, especially our nearly 200 varieties of cheese, to consumers around the world."