05.11.2026 18:40
In the General Assembly of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, the economic difficulties experienced by farmers, producers and livestock breeders were discussed. Opposition MPs stated that the agriculture and livestock sector is in a difficult situation in the face of rising costs. Niğde MP Ömer Fethi Gürer said that a farmer cannot even cover a worker's daily wage by selling one ton of apples, while Tekirdağ MP İlhami Özcan Aygun explained that the production cost of raw milk has exceeded its sales price.
At a tense General Assembly session in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), economic problems were on the MPs' agenda. CHP MPs who took the floor in the General Assembly, convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Celal Adan, raised the cost increases in the agriculture and livestock sector and called for support for producers.
"THEY SELL A TON OF APPLES, BUT CANNOT COVER ONE WORKER'S DAILY WAGE"
CHP Niğde MP Ömer Fethi Gürer stated in his speech at the General Assembly that farmers are experiencing serious economic difficulties in the face of production costs. Expressing that apple producers in his region have had to leave their products on the branch, Gürer argued that the problems in the agricultural sector are growing. Gürer described the situation of producers as follows: "They sell a ton of apples but cannot cover one worker's daily wage; the cabbage was also left in the field. By regulating these in a planned and predictable way, the hardship of farmers, producers, and livestock breeders can be prevented." Stating that producers cannot make a profit due to rising costs, Gürer said that agricultural policies need to be reassessed.
"WE HAVE A SUPPLY GAP IN 21 PRODUCTS"
Saying that in the agricultural sector not only fruit and vegetable producers but also citizens engaged in livestock farming are in a difficult situation, Gürer noted that feed prices are constantly being increased, but the raw milk price has not been raised for five months. Arguing that the increases in sugar beet and paddy purchase prices are also insufficient in the face of rising input costs, Gürer warned that Turkey's dependence on imports in agricultural production could increase. "We have a supply gap in 21 products; we are importing. If imports continue like this, they will increase further," said Gürer, asking for permanent solutions to the problems experienced by producers.
THE MILK PRODUCER'S COST EXCEEDED THE SALE PRICE
CHP Tekirdağ MP İlhami Özcan Aygun also drew attention at the General Assembly to the economic problems experienced by milk and livestock fattening producers. Stating that producers have had to send their cows to slaughter due to rising costs, Aygun said that barns are emptying. Recalling that the National Milk Council did not decide to increase the raw milk price at its meeting held on October 30, 2026, Aygun stated that the price, which has been 24 lira 30 kuruş per liter since May 1, 2026, has not been changed. Also referring to TÜSEDAD's October data, Aygun explained that the production cost of one liter of raw milk reached 29 lira 90 kuruş. According to these figures, there is a difference of 5 lira 60 kuruş per liter between the production cost and the announced raw milk price.