Agricultural frost disaster doubles food prices

The agricultural frost disaster that occurred in recent weeks has been turned into an opportunity by some traders. Prices for products such as dried apricots, raisins, dried figs, pistachios, and hazelnuts have risen rapidly. In the last month, the per-kilogram prices of these products have increased by up to 100 percent.

According to a report by Sabah newspaper, the most striking increase was seen in dried apricots. Yellow dried apricots, which were sold for between 200-250 TL last month, have now risen to 400-450 TL, while sun-dried apricots have increased from 300 TL to 650-700 TL.

Seedless raisins: 150-250 TL › 350-450 TL

Dried figs: 200-300 TL › 450-550 TL

Pistachios: 500-600 TL › Over 1,000 TL

Hazelnuts: 60 percent price hike in warehouses

Producers stated that these products are stocks remaining from last year, noting that traders, anticipating a lack of harvest due to the frost, have begun collecting products from warehouses by doubling the prices.

Istanbul PERDER President Faruk Güzeldere confirmed the activity that has begun in warehouses and made the following assessment:

“Supply and demand determine the price. When supply drops and demand increases, the price rises. However, unfortunately, there is also opportunism in our country. The new harvest has not yet come out, yet the price of last year's product is being hiked.”