Disease detected in our most consumed vegetable: Being destroyed one by one at facilities!

Due to a plant disease detected in potatoes, which are among the most consumed vegetables in Turkey, the destruction process of 2,500 tons of table potatoes that were exported to Tunisia and subsequently returned is ongoing.

BEING ELIMINATED IN MERSIN

Mersin Agricultural Quarantine Director Şeref Kabaoğlu stated in a press briefing at the disposal facility in the Tarsus district that the destruction process of the diseased potatoes is being carried out meticulously.

Kabaoğlu said, “As a result of the analyses conducted on the returned potatoes, it was determined that the products carry a plant disease. The destruction process is being carried out entirely under customs control, and it is absolutely impossible for these products to be released into the market.”

DESTRUCTION OF POTATOES HAS BEGUN

Following the analysis process initiated on December 24, 2024, for the returned potatoes, it was determined that the products were unsuitable, and a decision for their destruction was made.

So far, 400 tons of potatoes have been disposed of in the destruction operations that began on January 10.

MINISTER YUMAKLI SPOKE

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, in his statement regarding the diseased potatoes, said, “The potatoes exported to Tunisia were not returned due to pesticide residues, but because of a plant-specific disease.

''We do not show any tolerance in this matter, and we are destroying all identified products.”

The destruction operations are expected to be completed in the coming days.