There's an abundance of potatoes this year

Konya, increases the importance of Turkey's potato production.
There's an abundance of potatoes this year

Konya, increases the importance of Turkey's potato production. Although there was an increase in potato production compared to last year, restrictions in places such as restaurants, restaurants and hotels during the pandemic reduced potato consumption. Potato, which has surplus production this year, seems to make the citizens smile in terms of price.

Konya, which is in a good position in potato production, draws attention with its excess potato production this year. Although producers expect export incentives for potatoes, experts suggest that the potato stock should be preserved in the domestic market, especially in times such as the pandemic. Murat Akbulut, President of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, who made evaluations on the subject, said, "It would be a better decision to give a separate support to potato production and to protect the price of the product in their hands in order to meet such expectations of our producers rather than melt our stock by turning to exports.

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"POTATO PRODUCTION INCREASED 300-400 THOUSAND TONS"

15 percent of potato production in Konya, Turkey welcomed that information that President Murat Akbulut, "Last time we look at the production in Turkey in 2019 is a 4 billion 800 thousand tons of potato production is concerned about. Around 700 million tons of this is produced in our Konya. Compared to last year, there is an increase of 300-400 thousand tons in potato production. As it is known, potato prices were very positive in 2019, so our producers turned to production for 2020. This caused an increase in production. This year, production increased as farmers shifted more towards potato production. The fact that chain restaurants, hotels and ready-to-eat units were closed or limited due to the pandemic reduced the consumption of potatoes. The consumption of around 4 million from a production of around 4 billion 800 thousand tons caused the market to fall. For this reason, prices started to be troubled in 2020 ”.

'POTATO PRICES HAS BEEN COLLECTED'

Noting that the producers produce on a contract between one thousand TL and one thousand 100 TL, Akbulut said, “Our farmers engaged in contract production have not had much trouble anyway. However, we saw that the prices in the field fell from 1 TL to around 50 kurus during the harvest when the production took place on the field. This was a figure below the production costs of 75 cents per kilogram of potatoes. Meanwhile, it created a serious concern for our producers. However, when we look at it in the period we come to today, we see that the price of potatoes is around 90 kurus 1 TL per kilo. On behalf of our country, it is also gratifying to see the next pandemic season and find excess potatoes. It is also natural that such production surpluses inevitably have a negative effect on prices, which is to the detriment of the producer. Prices fell during the potato harvest. But when we look at the name today, it seems that the prices have recovered today ”.

"SEEDED POTATO WILL BE PRODUCED"

Referring to the production of potatoes with seeds for the next year, Akbulut said: “Potato prices were really low at harvest time due to the disruption of the supply and demand balance. There is no problem in the past period, but our producers, who were selling during the pandemic, had some loss. But today, potato prices have picked up again. When we look at the old works for 2021, there will be some escape to these places due to the fact that producers find a market at good prices in other product groups, sunflower and corn due to the damage to potatoes. However, on the other hand, our producers who separate the potatoes with seeds due to the low prices are very good. We do not expect much of a drop in potato prices as they will sow the seeds in their possession. At least 300-400 thousand tons of production surplus in 2020 can be regulated backwards. But around the planting of 2019, it seems that we will produce enough potatoes for our country in 2021. "

"OUR MANUFACTURERS MAY HAVE EXPORT EXPECTATION"

Emphasizing that potato producers may have an expectation regarding export, Akbulut said, “Because even the word export itself causes an increase in prices. Therefore, it is very natural that they have such expectations in terms of the money or price of the product they have. However, during such pandemic periods, it would be a very wrong decision to turn to export with the potatoes we have while these countries stock up. When we think on behalf of our producers, it will be the right decision to appreciate the potato we have. Of course, the minus and pluses of this decision will be considered by the authorities, the Ministry and our State and take a decision accordingly. It is pleasing for our country that we have excess potatoes in a process like a pandemic. Rather than focusing on exports and melting the stock we have, it would be a better decision to provide a separate support to these potatoes and to protect the price of their products, even if exports are not opened for the other interests of our country in order to meet such expectations of our producers.

WHICH REGIONS ARE POTATO PLANTED?

Emphasizing that potatoes are grown in most regions in Konya, Akbulut said, "We have intensive potato planting in Altınekin, in the dense part of Karatay, in the part we call the plain, in the parts where we do irrigated agriculture, from Karapınar to the area of ​​the old part of Aksaray. Potatoes are an important asset. It is one of our sine qua non plantings. We need to show our manufacturers the necessary concern. "If our state can eliminate the concerns of our current producers, our producers will always stay warm to potato production."

SÜMEYRA KENESARI / YENİ HABER GAZETESİ