Beet producers react to the purchase price: we have no strength left to hold out

The purchase price of sugar beet was announced at 1 lira and 85 kuruş per kilo. Farmers reacted to this situation by stating that the announced figure did not even cover their costs.

Türkşeker announced the purchase price of sugar beet for 2023 at 1,855 TL per ton, including the quota completion bonus of 100 TL. The producer who cannot complete his quota has to sell his beet for 1,755 lire. The purchase price of sugar beet, which was announced last year at 1,450 TL per ton, increased by 27.93 percent to 1,855 TL this season.

CHP Eskişehir MP Jale Nur Süllü stated that this increase means that farmers, who expect a minimum of 2 thousand TL for at least 14 polar beets per ton, will be further excluded from production in the coming years. beet producers.

Beet farmer Burhan Çelikoğlu said that although beet costs them about 2 thousand liras per ton, they are not satisfied with the announced price of 1855 TL. Çelikoğlu said: “If the farmer has not completed his quota, the amount to be paid will be 1,755 lira. There is no way the advertised price will satisfy us. “Even if we calculate the lowest costs, it costs us around 2,000 lira,” he said.

‘IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PLANT BEET BREAD NEXT TO THESE PRICES’

Farmer Burhan Çelikoğlu claimed that the announced price of beet did not satisfy any farmer and their costs increased by more than 100 percent compared to last year, and said:

“The farmer will make his calculations for next year. It is very difficult for us to plant beets next year at these prices. Currently, the farmer suffers losses from the beets he produces. The carrier wants a difference with us. All our supplies have increased by 100 percent. How can we plant beets in these conditions?

The 18 lira diesel became 40 lira. The work pattern increased by 150 percent, fertilizers increased by 100 percent. Someone give us some advice. How should we plant, how should we produce? Sugar is in the hands of giants. Farmers are obliged to produce and give. We also planted it. There are no other beet buyers. You have the opportunity to sell wheat, barley and corn to someone else, but we have to take the beets and deliver them to them. We will deliver it with blood and tears. If the farmer does not earn money, why should he plant? “Then the sugar factories will offend us and the state will decide where to bring the sugar.”

‘THE ANNOUNCED FIGURE IS A BIG BLOW’

CHP Eskişehir deputy Jale Nur Süllü, who heard the problems of beet farmers, said: “The average 100 percent increase in input costs is far below the 100 percent increase in labor wages. . While the input costs for beet production exceed 1,900 TL, the purchase price represents a loss of 1,855 TL. “In these conditions, farmers have no money left and cannot even cover their expenses,” he said.

In his statement, Süllü stated: “While the annual inflation just announced by TUIK is 61 percent, a 27.9 percent increase in the purchase price of beet is never acceptable. While 1 bag of sugar costs 1,800 TL, setting a purchase price of 1,855 TL for 1 ton of sugar beet is a serious blow to the country’s agriculture. “This pricing policy carries risks that will lead to the end of domestic beet production,” he said.

THE FARMER CAN’T EARN MONEY

Deputy Süllü stated that the announced beet purchase price is far from covering the production costs of sugar beet, which is one of the most important sources of income for farmers in Eskişehir, as in many regions of the country, and that they have no money left over, and said: “The costs are constant, including fuel, fertilizer, medicine, labor and harvest.” Although it increases as , a purchase price has been determined well below the rate of increase in inflation. Last year diesel cost 18 liras, now it costs 41 liras. There was an increase of at least 200 percent in transportation costs. Fertilizer increased. “If the farmer is not going to make money, why should he continue planting?” he said.

‘GIVE BACK FOR YOUR WORK’

On the other hand, CHP member Süllü stressed that the 30 percent increase granted to beet transporters could not cover the costs in any way and stated:

“The political power and Türkşeker should also listen to the voice of our transporters, compensate them for their efforts and make the necessary improvements as soon as possible. If the price of diesel increases by 120 percent, how will transporters be able to open up to a 30 percent increase? We face a situation that victimizes the farmers who produce and the transporters who do their work.

From here, we call on Türkşeker officials, sugar factory officials and the government; Reward the hard work of both the beet grower and the hauler. If these improvements are not made, there will be no farmers left to plant beets next year. To prevent producers from continuing to suffer, it is urgent to improve corn and beet prices. The government should listen to the voice of the producers.”