TZOB call to increase cotton support

Şemsi Bayraktar, president of the Turkish Union of Agricultural Chambers (TZOB), said that premiums and other support, amounting to 1 lira and 6 kuruş per kilogram, should be reviewed and increased so that prices remain low in the sector. cotton. in 2022 and so that farmers are less affected by the serious increase in input prices.

In its statement on the occasion of October 7, World Cotton Day, Bayraktar assessed the problems experienced in the cotton industry and the expectations of producers.

Bayraktar stated that the harvest of cotton planted in Turkey began at the end of April, noting that the increase in the temperature difference between day and night during this season’s planting period caused stress to the plant, leading to a yield from 10 to 20 percent. loss.

‘FARMERS HAVE BEEN LOSING FOR TWO YEARS’

Bayraktar noted that raw cotton prices are currently at a low level of 18 lira per kilogram and said: “Our farmers have suffered losses in the past 2 years, as cotton prices decreased from 24 lira per kilogram in 2021 to 13-14 lira in 2022.”

Noting that the cotton prices announced by the Tariş, Çukobirlik and Antbirlik Association of Cotton and Oilseed Agricultural Sales Cooperatives are below the world cost and prices, Bayraktar made the following assessment:

“If cotton prices are not announced this year including inflation and farmers’ welfare share above cost, cotton cultivation area will be significantly reduced next year. The price should be at least between 28 and 30 lira so that our producers do not abandon cotton. The rains that hit the Söke Plain last week reduced the yield and fiber quality of cotton, which was planted as the second crop after the wheat harvest in June. Therefore, the farmer’s selling price will decrease further.”

‘IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO COMPETE WITH THE WORLD’

Bayraktar pointed out that the price of cotton fiber in Turkey is between 44 lira 25 kuruş and 46 lira per kilogram, and the price of raw cotton is between 17 lira 7 kuruş and 19 lira 6 kuruş per kilogram, and stated that it is not It is possible for farmers to compete with the world with these purchasing prices.

Bayraktar emphasized that producers must be protected and said:

“In order for prices to remain low in 2022 and for our farmers to be minimally affected by the serious increase in input prices, the premium and other aid of 1 lira and 6 kurus per kilogram must be reviewed and increased and our producers They must be protected. “Çukobirlik and Tariş should take responsibility this year and review their purchasing prices, and at least announce prices at world prices.”

Bayraktar, who also suggested that cotton be included in the scope of “agricultural products” of the Customs Union, used the following statements:

“Cotton is a product that we cannot impose tariffs on because of the Customs Union. For this reason, cotton prices in the domestic market are directly affected by world prices, and the decline in world prices negatively affects our production since we cannot impose customs duties. “To protect our producers, cotton should be excluded from the scope of industrial products of the Customs Union, included in the scope of agricultural products, and customs duties should be reimposed.” (AA)