While a major agricultural frost disaster occurred in Adana, Mersin and Hatay on February 21-25, and in the Aegean Region, especially in vineyards on March 21-22, the agricultural frost throughout the country caused a second and even greater disaster in these regions on April 10-11-12-13.
Almost the entire country from east to west, north to south, froze, so to speak. Producers who were expecting rain in April were faced with an agricultural frost disaster. The agricultural frost, which occurred especially on April 10-11 and 12, damaged many cultivated and planted agricultural products, especially fruits and vegetables.
While a major agricultural frost disaster occurred in the Aegean Region, especially in the vineyards, on March 21-22, the agricultural frost throughout the country on April 10-11-12-13 caused a second and even greater disaster in these regions.
Apple, Apricot, Peach, Pear, and Cherry Trees: Many orchards reported significant damage, especially in the areas where these trees were just beginning their blossoming phase. The unexpected frost caused the delicate blossoms and early fruit buds to suffer, likely leading to a reduced fruit set and lower yields overall. In particular, apple and apricot trees—being among the early bloomers—faced severe risks, potentially affecting the timing and volume of the harvest season.
The vineyards in Manisa, where the Aegean Sultaniye raisins, which Turkey ranks first in world production and export, are grown, were one of the most damaged products. Again, in Malatya, the production center of dried apricots, which Turkey has a say in the world and ranks first in production and export, apricot trees were the most damaged product by the agricultural frost disaster on April 10-11 and 12.
Vineyards in the Aegean and Trakya, hazelnuts in the Black Sea, apples, walnuts, early-planted sugar beets, canola in Central Anatolia, watermelons in Çukurova, citrus orchards, field crops in many provinces, fruits, in short, almost all cultivated and planted agricultural products were damaged. The damage was very great in some products, while some were partially affected.
It is expected that the agricultural frost disaster experienced in many products, especially hazelnuts, apricots and raisins, which are among Turkey's traditional export products, will also negatively affect exports. It seems inevitable that both the decrease in product quantity and the problems that will be experienced regarding quality and the price increase will negatively affect exports. In the past years, there were high price increases due to the decrease in production in products such as apricots, hazelnuts and grapes.
