Hazelnut producers in Turkey’s Black Sea region are pressing for a floor price of at least 300 lira a kilogram as the 2026 harvest approaches, with Muammer Aydemir arguing that anything lower would fail to cover sharply higher labor and input costs.
Turkey Hazelnut Growers Seek 300 Lira Floor
The call matters because hazelnut pricing sets the tone for one of Turkey’s most important agricultural export markets, shaping farmer income, processor margins and the competitiveness of Turkish supply in global confectionery and snack chains. With pre-season activity already underway, the debate over the purchase price is turning into a test of how much cost pressure the state-backed buying system can absorb without squeezing growers.
Labor costs are already flashing stress points across the region. In Ordu, the daily wage for hazelnut workers has been set at 1,750 lira net, while in Giresun it stands at 1,101 lira, underscoring the uneven and rising cost burden facing producers as they prepare for harvest. Farmers in Giresun are also warning that lower yields could compound the hit from higher expenses.
For investors and buyers, the key issue is whether a higher farm-gate price feeds through to tighter supply conditions and stronger upstream pricing for processors and exporters. Turkey dominates global hazelnut production, so any shift in producer economics can ripple into margins for chocolate makers, snack companies and commodity traders that rely on steady Black Sea supply.
The backdrop is already mixed for the market. Local sentiment around the upcoming season remains negative, with producers focused on costs rather than volume growth, while the broader harvest outlook will depend on weather, labor availability and how aggressively buyers step in once field collection begins.
The next catalyst is the pace of the harvest and any formal pricing decisions, which will determine whether 300 lira becomes a negotiating target or a market floor.
| Entity | Gains | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Hazelnut producers | ▲Higher farm-gate income | ▼Margin pressure if price stays low |
| Laborers | ▲Stronger wage setting | ▼Less if producers cut hiring |
| Processors/exporters | ▲Stable supply if growers are supported | ▼Higher input costs if purchase price rises |
| Chocolate/snack buyers | ▲Lower costs if prices are contained | ▼Bigger raw-material bill if 300 lira sticks |
