14.04.2025 10:51
Due to the snowfall and cold weather in April across Turkey, agricultural frost affected various products, primarily apricots, as well as grapes, figs, apples, plums, cherries, sour cherries, hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, peaches, and persimmons. In total, 36 provinces were affected by the agricultural frost, with 16 million apple trees impacted in Karaman. The complete freezing of trees in irrigated orchards due to the frost resembled glaciers.
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In April, many agricultural products were affected by frost in 36 provinces across Turkey, where the air temperature dropped below zero and snowfall occurred.
Products affected by frost include apricots, grapes, figs, apples, plums, cherries, sour cherries, hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, peaches, and persimmons, primarily apricots.
MILLIONS OF TREES FROZE IN KARAMAN Karaman was also one of the provinces affected by frost due to the cold weather. With over 16 million trees, Karaman ranks first in Turkey and is also second in apple production with an annual output of 500,000 tons.
"THE MAGNITUDE OF THE DAMAGE WILL BE REVEALED AFTER INVESTIGATIONS" Mehmet Bayram, the Chairman of the Karaman Agricultural Chamber, who inspected the apple orchards with the President of the Apple Producers Union, Celil Serin, stated that the air temperatures dropping to minus 11 degrees Celsius caused serious damage to the apple trees. Bayram mentioned that production is carried out on 250,000 decares of land with 16 million trees in Karaman and emphasized that they are in communication with producers to minimize the extent of the damage, saying, "Today we experienced a frost event where the felt air temperature was between minus 11-12 degrees. We were in dialogue with producers in the orchards until morning. Producers tried to take precautions as much as they could, by running fans, burning tires and straw bales, and irrigating as in this orchard. Of course, these were not sufficient because these precautions can only be used as measures at temperatures between minus 3 and 5 degrees. The complete damage assessment will be carried out by the Karaman Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. They are protecting the trees with irrigation systems in this orchard. This system has been implemented in Karaman for 2-3 years. On Tuesday and Wednesday, after the damage assessment, we will also see how beneficial this method is," he said.
"WE ARE EXPERIENCING A GREAT DISASTER" Celil Serin, the President of the Apple Producers Union, stated that they are experiencing a great disaster in Karaman, saying, "We have been touring the fields since last night. We predict that the damage due to the frost will be very high. Our producers are lighting fires and irrigating to protect the apple trees from frost. Currently, the damage rate in the fruits is high; at least we are fighting to prevent damage to the trees. May God help our producers. We are experiencing a great disaster," he said.
Producers Atila Topbaş and Kahraman Altın, who are trying to protect the apple orchards from frost by irrigating, stated that they have been going through a difficult process for 2 days and have not slept until morning. It is predicted that the cold weather, which dropped below seasonal norms on April 9, will continue to be effective until April 14.
SIMILAR SCENARIO IN KAYSERI In Kayseri, the recent drop in air temperatures below seasonal norms has caused frost to hit apple trees in the Yahyalı district. Farmers have been put in a difficult situation due to the frost that hit Yahyalı, known for its apples.
Yahyalı Mayor Esat Öztürk, along with AK Party District Chairman Adem Sarıçiçek and Municipal Council Member İsmail Baş, visited the producers. Farmer Mustafa Sarıçiçek reported that despite taking precautions, there were many frost events, saying, "I earn my income from apples and beets. We faced frost the other day. We encountered a cold of about minus 15 degrees. Despite taking our precautions, there were many frost events."
Yahyalı Mayor Esat Öztürk also expressed that the damage is significant, stating, "I extend my best wishes to our producers, especially in Yahyalı, Develi, and Yeşilhisar in Central Anatolia. I regret to say that our loss due to this year's frost in apples is around 100 million dollars. Frost has occurred in many places in Turkey, but it was an economic value specific to Yahyalı. Many of our people earn their livelihood from apple production here. Both our warehouse owners, producers, and those selling pesticides have suffered economic losses. They may have obtained these opportunities through loans, so we request support from our local leaders," he said.
In a statement from the Meteorology 7th Regional Directorate, it was noted, "According to the latest evaluations, due to the expected frost event on the night connecting Saturday to Sunday and the night connecting Sunday to Monday in the Kayseri region, it is important for our citizens engaged in agricultural activities to take necessary precautions against the risk of frost."
Farmers stated that they are expecting support due to the significant damage.
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