Problems are experienced in the citrus sector due to the increase in production costs

Producer associations and Cypfruvex officials point out that production costs have increased almost 4 times and are of the opinion that the state should support the producers, different electricity and water tariffs, agricultural support that has not been increased since 2010, and agricultural insurance should be updated so that the producers, who will have a very difficult time next season, should not cut off from production.

The TAK reporter received the opinions and evaluations of producer associations and Cypfruvex officials on the subject.

Ali Alioğlu, President of the Cyprus Turkish Citrus Producers Union, said that the problem experienced due to the lack of cutting workers in the citrus harvest is being used by the buyers to increase the price of the product; He especially called on the producers of Valencia products not to rush to sell their products with the idea of ​​"let me sell the product at a low price that will stay in the branch".

Turgut Akçın, President of the Northern Cyprus Citrus Producers Association, reminded that when the harvest starts, they predicted the problem of the cutting team shortage and warned them, but criticized the authorities, saying that no measures were taken. Noting that they think that some of the existing workers will return with the beginning of the month of Ramadan, Akçın also suggested that local, unemployed people be employed by providing an advance payment to the problem.

Cypfruvex Chairman of the Board Erdoğan Şanlıdağ emphasized that there is no delay or disruption in the amount of mandora (king) cutting despite the shortage of slaughter workers and heavy rains; He noted that the efforts to recruit slaughter workers for the Valencia harvest, which has not yet started, are continuing.

ALIOĞLU: “MANUFACTURER DOESN'T WAIT FOR SALE… THE PRODUCT WILL FIND ITS REAL PRICE”

Ali Alioğlu, President of the Cyprus Turkish Citrus Producers Union, said that the problem experienced due to the lack of cutting workers in the citrus harvest is being used by the buyers to increase the price of the product; He especially called on the producers of Valencia products not to rush to sell their products with the idea of ​​"let me sell the product at a low price that will stay in the branch".

Alioğlu also emphasized that the existing problem with the collection teams has begun to be overcome, that the expected price increase will occur and that the product will find its real price.

“PRODUCTION COST IS TOO HIGH… THE MANUFACTURER CANNOT LOOK AT THE GARDEN”

Explaining that the problem in citrus fruit is related to the increase in production costs rather than the collection problem, the irrigation water drawn from underground brings a serious cost, and the prices of chemical fertilizers and pesticides have increased almost four times, Alioğlu said, adding that the producer will not be able to maintain his garden this year with the cost of the product that he will receive this year. noted the situation.

“OVERFLOWING WATER SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE DERIVATION”

Alioğlu pointed out the importance of transferring the overflowing water from the dam to the diversion in a healthy way; He said that this issue should be resolved immediately and asked what the General Directorate of Water Department was doing on this issue.

Noting that around 1500-2000 cutting workers should work in the 2021-2022 citrus harvest period, Alioğlu noted that with the increase in daily wages in Turkey, close to 850-900 cutting workers could be provided this year, and Cypfruvex is trying to solve the problem with local personnel within its body.

Alioğlu said that it is important to provide healthy and livable environments to the teams coming from Turkey for the harvest and said that despite all the warnings, a positive point could not be reached; He said that the contractors should renew themselves in this direction.

“MARKETING IS A SEPARATE SKILL AND PRAISE”

Alioğlu also complained about the low price given by the exporters to the product and stated that the inability to sell at the required price pushed the manufacturer to cut off production; While the producer struggles for the harvest of the product, 90 percent underlined that selling the exported product and marketing requires a separate skill and foresight.

Expressing that there may be hostility between buyers and Cypfruvex from time to time, but the company is a balancing factor, Alioğlu explained that the disappearance of Cypfruvex is in the interest of exporters, so that they can buy the product from the manufacturers at the price they want.

Alioğlu also emphasized that Cypfruvex's being strong and active and correcting its structure is for the benefit of the producer.

AKÇIN: “THE PROBLEM IS TOO BUT THE MAIN PROBLEM IS LACK OF CUTTING TEAM”

Turgut Akçın, President of the Northern Cyprus Citrus Producers Association, also reminded that when the harvest starts, they predicted the problems to be experienced and warned about the shortage of the cutting team, but criticized the authorities, saying that no measures were taken.