Farmers across Turkey are warning that extreme weather events are pushing their crops and livelihoods to the brink.

A series of devastating frosts, hailstorms, and record-breaking heatwaves has wiped out major portions of the country's citrus, apricot, and hazelnut harvests, threatening not just local incomes but global food supplies.

In the fertile Adana region of southern Turkey, citrus farmer Aleaddin Cogal said that his lemon orchards have endured multiple disasters in a single season.

"At first, there was the frost and we lost a lot of blossoms," he explained. "Then we had a severe hailstorm when the fruits were small. Then a heatwave hit, and the sun was so intense that it literally boiled the fruit, killing it."

The result, he said, was catastrophic: "We lost nearly 40% of our produce."

Temperatures in Adana soared to 47.5 degrees Celsius (117.5 degrees Fahrenheit) — the hottest in 95 years, while unseasonal frosts in February and April destroyed early blossoms across the region.

Farmers in eastern Anatolia's Malatya province, known for its world-leading apricot production, described the frost damage as "harsher … than the earthquake" that struck the country in 2023. Even hazelnut growers in the north reported severe losses.

Turkey is a major agricultural hub, exporting citrus, apricots, and hazelnuts worldwide. But as global temperatures continue to climb, its farmers are facing longer droughts, more intense heat waves, and erratic rainfall, all of which reduce crop yields and increase food prices for shoppers.

The ripple effect of these losses could go far beyond Turkey. As major exporters struggle to maintain supply, markets around the world may see higher prices for key staples. Farmers everywhere may face more challenges as unpredictable weather becomes the norm.

Source - TCD