Walnut harvesting has begun in Turkey’s Yozgat province, and growers say this year’s crop is strong — but the price they are getting is far too low, underscoring how thin farmgate margins remain even when yields improve.
Turkey Yozgat walnut growers face low farmgate prices
Producers in Örencik village say they are selling walnuts for 100 to 150 lira a kilogram, while the same nuts can fetch 400 to 500 lira in stores after drying, sorting and retail markups. For growers who depend on walnuts alongside livestock income, the gap highlights how much value is captured after the farm gate and how little is left for the producer.
One farmer, Coşkun Koç, said the harvest is better than last year and that the trees are producing well, but he asked the agriculture ministry for support to help growers sustain production. He said farmers are forced to sell the surplus after keeping enough for winter consumption, adding that the nuts lose about half their weight once dried.
The complaint lands at a sensitive point for Turkish agriculture, where higher output does not necessarily translate into better rural incomes. In walnut-growing areas, the economics are shaped by irrigation access, drying capacity, storage and bargaining power, all of which can leave small producers exposed to volatile prices.
For investors and agribusiness watchers, the story points to continued demand for processing, storage and local supply-chain infrastructure that can narrow the farm-to-retail spread. It also keeps attention on agricultural policy, especially whether authorities step in with support for growers facing weak farmgate prices despite healthy harvests.
| Entity | Gains | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut consumers | ▲Better supply availability | ▼Higher retail prices persist |
| Yozgat growers | ▲Stronger yields | ▼Low farmgate prices |
| Retailers/processors | ▲Wider margin capture | ▼Pressure if farm support rises |
| Turkish agriculture ministry | ▲Chance to support producers | ▼Scrutiny over farm income gaps |