President of TZOB Bayraktar: ‘Our children are not consuming dairy products enough’

The President of the Union of Chambers of Agriculture of Turkey (TZOB), Şemsi Bayraktar, stated, ‘Our children cannot consume enough milk and dairy products, cannot eat healthily. These products especially cannot reach children from poor families.’ He evaluated the price changes between producers and markets in May, monthly and annual changes in input prices, recent developments in wheat harvest, and expectations for the dairy sector due to World Milk Day on June 1st.
In May, the price difference between the producer and the market was mostly seen in dried figs with 284.6%, followed by lemons with 284.6%, cucumbers with 247.3%, apples with 233.5%, and dried onions with 213.2%. Dried figs were sold at 3.9 times the price, lemons at 3.8 times, cucumbers at 3.5 times, apples at 3.3 times, and dried onions at 3.1 times the price at the market compared to the producer. Bayraktar mentioned that the product with the highest price increase in May was carrots in the market and eggplants at the producer, while the product with the highest price decrease was dried onions both in the market and at the producer.
Bayraktar stated that in May, out of 35 products, there was a price increase in 22 products, a price decrease in 12 products, and no price change in 1 product. In the market, the product with the highest price increase in May was carrots with 34.7%. Carrots were followed by lemons with 16.6%, eggplants with 16.3%, eggs with 15%, and pistachios with 13%. The product with the highest price decrease in the market was dried onions with 21.6%. This was followed by a price decrease in dried onions by 15.5%, green peppers by 12.7%, tomatoes by 9.7%, and spring onions by 9.2%.
Bayraktar also evaluated the prices at the producer level, mentioning that in May, there was an increase in prices of 3 out of 27 products, a decrease in prices of 13 products, and no price change in 11 products. The product with the highest price decrease at the producer level was dried onions with 34.2%. This was followed by a price decrease in dried onions by 31%, cucumbers by 23%, apples by 22.2%, dried apricots by 21%, and zucchinis by 19.9%. The product with the highest price increase at the producer level was eggplants with 41.5%. This was followed by a price increase in eggplants by 25% and eggs by 19.1%.
Bayraktar provided insights into the price changes at the producer level, mentioning that the early variety of onions started to be harvested in April. Due to higher-than-normal temperatures, even regular varieties matured early. The inability to store the early variety led to an increase in supply and a decrease in onion prices to 6.25 TRY. The decrease in prices of cucumbers, zucchinis, tomatoes, and spring onions was due to an increase in supply as the transition to field production occurred. A decrease in demand led to lower prices for apples and dried apricots. The increase in eggplant prices was due to a shortage in supply during the transition from greenhouse to field. The increase in potato prices was due to a decreased supply caused by heavy rains. The price increase in eggs was due to changes in supply and demand.
Bayraktar evaluated the changes in monthly and annual input prices in May, stating, ‘According to the price data obtained from input markets through our Chambers of Agriculture, in May, composite fertilizer 20.20.0 increased by 0.1% compared to April, while UREA fertilizer decreased by 5%, DAP fertilizer by 1.1%, ammonium sulfate fertilizer by 0.9%, and ammonium nitrate fertilizer by 0.7%. Compared to May of the previous year, ammonium sulfate fertilizer increased by 56.4%, UREA fertilizer by 35.6%, ammonium nitrate fertilizer by 32.2%, DAP fertilizer by 30.1%, and composite fertilizer 20.20.0 by 29.4%. In May, compared to April, cattle feed increased by 1.7%, dairy feed by 1.5%, and in the past year, cattle feed increased by 43.8% and dairy feed by 45.9%. While electricity prices increased by 19.8% annually, pesticide prices increased by 66.6%. Although diesel prices decreased by 1.7% monthly, they increased by 109% annually, making it the agricultural input with the highest annual price increase as in previous months.’
Bayraktar mentioned that a 5.4% decrease in cereal production is expected, stating, ‘According to the initial estimation data of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), plant production is expected to increase by 0.8% compared to the previous year, reaching 138 million tons this year. Data shows that total cereal production is expected to decrease by 5.4% compared to the previous year. Within cereals, a decrease in production is estimated at 8.7% for barley, 5.6% for corn, and 4.5% for wheat. Over the last 10 years, wheat cultivation areas have decreased by 13.7%. This decrease indicates a shift away from wheat production. While wheat cultivation areas decreased, barley cultivation areas increased by 20.5%, corn by 45.1%, and fruit areas by 24.7%. Wheat is a strategic product that holds a significant place in the nutrition of our country’s people. In years when wheat production decreases and import costs rise, prices in flour products, especially bread, the main food of the people, increase. Increasing wheat cultivation areas and preserving stocks against possible risks worldwide are always crucial.’
Bayraktar addressed World Milk Day on June 1st, saying, ‘Our country ranks 2nd in sheep milk production, 6th in goat milk production, and 10th in cow milk production worldwide. More than half of the animal production value in our country is covered by the dairy sector. Our children cannot consume enough milk and dairy products, cannot eat healthily. These products especially cannot reach children from poor families. School milk programs are crucial for the physical and mental development of all children. Milk, which is crucial for human health, is also the most important locomotive product of the livestock sector. Solutions must be found for the ongoing issues in the sector. Instead of suppressing milk prices, feed prices should be controlled, and reasonable prices for roughage and concentrate feed should be provided to dairy producers, especially small family businesses. Resolving production issues will enhance our competitiveness in international markets. Our aim should be to increase our production of milk and dairy products, including nearly 200 types of cheese, and introduce our unique quality dairy products to consumers worldwide.’