19.09.2025 22:31
The 'Ziraat 0900' cherry variety, which is grown in Tokat and is twice the size of normal cherries, did not produce any fruit this year due to frost damage. In previous years, the cherry generated an income of 5 million dollars, but this year it has disappointed the producers.
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In previous years, the 'Ziraat 0900' cherry variety in Tokat, which generated 5 million dollars in revenue, did not produce any fruit this year due to frost damage.
Tokat is among Turkey's most important centers for cherry and peach production. While 90% of the village's population earns their living from fruit growing, the agricultural frost that occurred this year negatively affected fruit production in the region, where around 2,000 people work during harvest seasons.
HEAVY BLOW TO PRODUCERS
Last year, Tokat exported cherries worth 5 million dollars to 11 countries with a production of 20,000 tons. However, the agricultural frost that occurred in April of this year dealt a heavy blow to producers. While not a single cherry was left in the orchards, all types of fruits, especially peaches and plums, suffered 100% damage.
"THIS YEAR WE COULDN'T GET A SINGLE KILO OF PRODUCT"
Emin Yılar, the Chairman of the Tokat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TTSO), stated that the frost event caused significant losses for producers, saying, "The year 2025 was a bad year for fruit. Not only Tokat but 37 provinces experienced frost disasters. However, especially our '0900' cherry variety had a very high added value in exports. Last year, we earned 5 million dollars by exporting to 11 countries. This year, however, we couldn't get a kilo or even a gram of fruit. Our farmers not only couldn't obtain products but also had to cover the costs of spraying, irrigation, and maintenance out of their own pockets."
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT STATEMENT
Yılar emphasized that the government has taken action to reduce the losses of producers, stating, "A support of 6,500 lira per decare will be provided to cherry and peach producers. Although this will not fully compensate for our losses, it will provide some partial benefit."
RECORD PRODUCTION EXPECTED IN 2026
Yılar mentioned that due to the cherry trees not bearing fruit this year, they expect intense flowering next year, saying, "Our production, which was 20,000 tons in 2024, is expected to increase by at least 30%. If the natural conditions are favorable, we expect around 25,000 tons of cherry production. However, our producers need to prune their trees more rigorously during this period. Because intense flowering can negatively affect quality."
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