Peanut harvest has begun in Manavgat.

The peanut harvest in Manavgat is continuing at full speed. In Manavgat, where a yield of 10 to 12 thousand tons is expected this year from an area of 25 thousand decares, producers are complaining about the drop in peanut prices, which were sold for 45 lira per kilogram last year, down to 25 lira this year.

In Antalya’s Manavgat district, the harvest of peanuts, which producers usually plant as a second crop, is progressing rapidly. Harvesting, which was done by human labor in the past, is now carried out using machines known as harvesters. Ahmet Deniz, a producer harvesting peanuts in the Karaöz region of the district, stated that they are doing their best to sustain agriculture, which has been passed down through generations, as a side job. Deniz expressed that they have no strength left to endure due to rising costs, saying, “Although costs have increased compared to last year, our selling price for the product has dropped to almost half of last year’s price. It is impossible to make sense of this.”

Peanut and olive producers are in a difficult situation. Rasim Metin, the President of the Manavgat Agricultural Chamber, also noted that peanut cultivation is carried out on an area of 25 thousand decares in Manavgat, stating, “This year we expect a yield of around 10-12 thousand tons. The price of peanuts rose to 50 lira last year. In the meantime, input costs have increased by at least 50%, while buyers have set a price of 25-28 lira for peanuts, which we cannot understand. Under these conditions, it is impossible for producers to survive. Similarly, olive producers are also confused about what to do. Last year, table olives were priced at 40-45 lira, while this year they are 20-25 lira. Olive oil, which found buyers for up to 300 lira last year, is now being offered at a price of 160-180 lira.”