It's not tea, it's literally a harvest of trouble
In the Eastern Black Sea region, where the second tea harvest is taking place, tea producers are being victimized by ÇAYKUR, while the private sector is turning this victimization into an opportunity.
In the region, where tea cultivation averages around 4 decares per producer , the time it takes for tea to ripen on the harvest is shortening with rising temperatures. However, ÇAYKUR, which hasn't increased its production capacity, isn't buying all of the tea from producers and is spreading it out over a longer period. ÇAYKUR's reduction of the per-decare quota to 20 kilos has left producers at the mercy of the private sector. Private companies, in turn, are capitalizing on producers' hardship.
ÇAYKUR's announced purchase price for fresh tea, initially set at 25.44 lira per kilogram, has fallen to 16 lira in the private sector. Furthermore, payment for the fresh tea price is being postponed to 2026. Producers unable to sell their tea to ÇAYKUR are being forced to pay lower prices.
Olcay Muti, President of the Hopa Chamber of Agriculture, stated that ÇAYKUR's purchasing policies are inadequate. Muti said, "Daily production capacity has been 8,000 tons for years. Tea cultivation areas have been increasing. Capacity cannot accommodate this. Then quota practices begin. When this happens, the seven-headed monster we call the private sector is opening its mouth."
Muti, noting that private companies have lowered their purchase prices to 16 lira, said, “Producers sell tea for 16 lira, but 9 lira of that is labor. The producer is left with 5 lira. Tea producers are starting with a negative price. Currently, the cost of tea is 35 lira, the government's stated 25 lira, while the private sector buys it for 16 lira. Producers sell tea at a significant loss every year. If this continues, production will be short-lived. If this continues, they will abandon their vineyards and orchards. They will farm below ground to make a living.”
Muti, noting that the problems of tea farming need to be resolved in the long term, said, “ÇAYKUR must increase its production capacity. Buying tea below the price set by the government should be prohibited. The private sector is buying now and will pay in eight months. We need a Tea Law. The draft is being prepared, but it's being prepared for the private sector. A Tea Law without tea producers is incomplete. A law with the private sector is not a law.”
CALL TO MANUFACTURERSMeanwhile, CHP Rize Provincial Chairman Saltuk Deniz said, "If the problems of our tea producers are not resolved by Monday, we will begin widespread demonstrations." Saltuk, citing the shortcomings of the Tea Law, announced that they would begin protests, primarily in front of ÇAYKUR (Turkish Tea and Agriculture Organization).
The fundamental reason for the continued exploitation of tea is the lack of a Tea Law mandating a minimum price for fresh tea. All institutions, structures, associations, and chambers related to tea must voice this truth openly and without fear.
The reason payments could be delayed until 2026 is the lack of a Tea Law that specifies the payment period for fresh tea purchases. Starting Monday, we are launching widespread activities throughout the province to end exploitation in tea. We will hold statements to demonstrate our democratic reaction, not just with press releases, but also with marches; not just in front of ÇAYKUR General Directorate, but also in front of the Rize Commodity Exchange; not just in front of ÇAYKUR factories, but also in front of private sector factories. Let's all say, 'End exploitation in tea.'"
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TKK operates like a loan sharkWheat producers in drought-stricken Yozgat are also facing a difficult time. İsmail Açıkgöz, President of the Yozgat Chamber of Agriculture, stated that farmers are facing significant hardship this year, saying that due to drought and hail, there has been a 70% loss in all agricultural products compared to previous years, and that without government support, farmers would be unable to sow seeds for the new season. Açıkgöz said, “ Farmers plow, pull out the crowbar, plant, apply pesticide, and fertilize. Today, they go to the field and it's empty. Someone who used to sell 100 tons of wheat has returned with 20-25 tons.” Mustafa Akyürek, a farmer in the Boğazlıyan district of Yozgat, stated that their crops have stagnated while agricultural input costs have risen. He said, “I am a villager, a farmer, a laborer. Last year, the fertilizer we bought for 10,300 lira has now become 30,000 lira. Diesel fuel was 38 lira, now it's 55 lira. They used to give us diesel fuel for free, but now we can't even afford it. We have no cigarettes, no pocket money, no money. What are we going to earn by selling wheat for 10 lira? You triple your fertilizer, diesel fuel, seeds, and pesticides, and then give us a price . Last year, we sold wheat for 9 lira, and now we'll sell it for 12 lira. You deny us the right to live. We bought tractors and equipment on credit, and now I can't pay my debt. Will I sell wheat for 10 lira to buy seeds and fertilizer, or pay off the bank debt? The Agricultural Credit Cooperative (TKK) operates like a loan shark. If you have a bank line of credit, you have it there too. How can this be done?”
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Farmers in İzmir's Kınık district are also facing difficult times due to rising costs and low product prices. Farmer Sefa Köken, speaking to ANKA, said he won't be able to plant next year due to accumulated bank debt. Köken explained that he hasn't been able to pay off his debts due to both low yields and low prices, and added that they are waiting for government support: “We are suffering a complete loss. This year is our last chance to survive; we either save ourselves, pay off our debts, or we will be wiped out. This isn't just for me or Kınık; it's for all farmers in Türkiye. For Türkiye to survive, people need to produce. We're in a difficult situation; no institution is on our side. I'm calling out to the President of the Chamber of Agriculture: why aren't you doing anything when the people you represent are in this situation? We're dealing not only with planting and care, but also with climate conditions. Frost fell, and we bought new seedlings and planted them. We're dealing with the sunburn.”
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