Yield Decline in Antep Pistachios and Import Permit

In pistachio production centers in the Southeast, especially Gaziantep, this year, the harvest loss has reached a quite striking level. The decrease in pistachio yield by approximately 80% compared to last year has become a significant source of concern for both producers and consumers. Producers emphasize that the prices of green shelled pistachios used especially in baklava making, and red shelled pistachios used in products like chocolate and Turkish delight, have increased by 100% in the last two months.

Following the rising prices, the Ministry of Trade decided to grant temporary permission for pistachio imports after a 20-year hiatus. This decision aims to stabilize prices through limited pistachio imports from countries such as the USA, Iran, and Syria. However, this situation has led to a major debate among producers and pistachio traders.

While baklava makers state that the decrease in raw material costs is a positive development for them, producers' reactions are increasingly intensifying. Producers, stating that “sales have almost come to a standstill,” interpret this situation by combining it with increased costs due to harvest loss.

These developments also raise questions about Turkey's position in the international pistachio market. Since Antep pistachio is a product with high demand worldwide, decreases in its production have the potential to affect not only the domestic market but also international demand.

The granting of import permission may provide short-term relief in the markets, but in the long term, supporting domestic production and promoting sustainable agricultural practices are critically important to rectify the situation in pistachio production. The high costs and losses faced by producers emerge as factors threatening the future of the pistachio sector.