25.10.2025 12:05
In the world trade of hazelnuts, where we lead, the harvest has almost hit rock bottom due to the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, as well as drought and agricultural pest threats. A member of the National Hazelnut Council Board stated, "We have experienced a loss of 250,000 tons in our harvest. This is the largest loss in recent years. The fight against the brown marmorated stink bug needs to continue for years. We definitely cannot eradicate it, but we can control it."
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In hazelnuts, where Turkey is a leader in world trade, chemical and biological control efforts are ongoing against the "brown marmorated stink bug," which causes loss of yield and quality, primarily by eating the leaves and drying the roots of plants in orchards.
THE TRIPLE THREAT CAUSED A LOSS OF 250 THOUSAND TONS IN YIELD In addition to the agricultural frost experienced in April, drought due to climate change and the stink bug invasion are worrying producers. Drought, stink bugs, and frost threats negatively affect hazelnut yield. Experts' investigations have determined that the triple threat faced by hazelnuts in the Eastern Black Sea region has led to a loss of approximately 250 thousand tons in yield.
"THE BIGGEST LOSS IN RECENT YEARS" Sebahattin Arslantürk, a member of the National Hazelnut Council (UFK) Board of Directors, stated that agricultural frost, drought, and the brown marmorated stink bug have negatively affected hazelnut farming, saying, "Unfortunately, the brown marmorated stink bug has started to harm our region in recent years. It hasn't just stayed in our region. According to the Ministry's findings, there is damage in 33 provinces. It continues to increase. Looking at the total, we have unfortunately lost at least 250 thousand tons of yield due to drought, 60 thousand tons due to stink bugs, and at least 150 thousand tons due to the frost we experienced in April. This means the biggest loss in recent years. The lowest yield of all time is expected. We predict that the damage it causes this season will be 40 thousand tons. Last year, this figure was 30 thousand tons. This corresponds to a loss of approximately 15 million TL. If necessary measures are not taken, we can already say that the extent of the damage will continue to increase every year," he said.
"WE CANNOT ELIMINATE IT, BUT WE CAN KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL" Arslantürk noted that the treatment of brown marmorated stink bugs should be done 3-4 times a year, stating, "Field spraying efforts are continuing to increase, but it needs to continue to increase. We do not think that a single spraying will be sufficient. Spraying must be done 3-4 times. This is a treatment done for overwintering. When stink bugs come out of hibernation at the end of April and beginning of May, we believe that the more we reduce the population through spraying, the less damage they will cause. This is not just a one-year issue. The studies need to continue for 5 to 10 years to minimize our rate of being affected by stink bugs. We cannot eliminate them. But we can keep them at a certain control level," he said.
"THE MOST EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUE IS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL" Arslantürk emphasized the importance of biological control against stink bugs, stating, "Biotechnical, physical, and biological control must be carried out together with this chemical control to achieve more lasting success. We have seen examples in the world where measures have been taken with biological control. Chemical control is also important. However, we must never forget that the most important control technique is biological control. Work has been ongoing for 2 years in this regard. We predict that increasing the production of the 'samurai wasp' known as 'Japonicus' and presenting it in much greater quantities in June will yield more lasting results. Its presence is already evident in 33 provinces outside of hazelnuts. Urgent measures must be taken outside of the hazelnut region as well," he stated.
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