CNN Türk News: Hazelnut Crop Expected to Lose 200 Thousand Tons
The Hazelnut Crop in Turkey Faces Threat from Brown Smelling Beetles
The hazelnut crop in Turkey is facing a serious threat from brown smelling beetles, which have been increasing in number in the Black Sea region where hazelnuts are primarily grown. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has implemented an action plan to combat this issue using chemical, mechanical, and biotechnical methods.
Sebahattin Arslantürk, Vice President of the National Hazelnut Council, reported that the damage caused by these beetles has been rapidly increasing over the past two years. Last year, 60 thousand tons of hazelnuts were lost, followed by 30 thousand tons the year before, and this year, there is an expected loss of 15-20 percent of the hazelnut crop.
The situation worsened when a cold fluctuation occurred on February 22-24 and 18-22 March, affecting the hazelnut production negatively. As a result, producers are now anticipating a loss of about 200 thousand tons of hazelnuts.
The Meteorology department has also issued an agricultural frost warning, further complicating the challenges faced by hazelnut producers in Turkey. It is crucial for authorities and farmers to work together to find effective solutions to protect this valuable crop from further damage.
