Banana growers in Hatay, where banana production takes place, noted that production decreased due to the increase in greenhouse costs.
Banana growers, who do not experience any market or demand problems, stated that they can meet all the needs if they are supported, and they also complained about the high price difference between the grower prices and the market prices.
Banana harvest continues in Hatay's Arsuz, Hassa, Kirikhan, and Reyhanli districts. In the city where banana production is widespread, banana production is carried out on 100 hectares. Expressing that they harvest nearly 8 tons of products per 1,000 square meters, the growers complained that the banana prices were around 0.65 USD/ kg at farmgate but around 1.2 USD/ kg at retailers.
Alper Can Satmaz, who has been producing bananas for four years, stated that greenhouse repair and maintenance has become difficult and said, "We do our planting in September and March. The increase in iron prices is pushing us hard. Banana production is good, but we are discouraged when we can't take care of banana diseases and handle the products with adequate care. I can say that our district has really grasped the production of bananas in terms of culture and production." Stating that the state support programs are insufficient, Satmaz said, "If the state supports us properly, we will progress. Further, we will do better. Our inputs have tripled, but the banana prices in the hands of the producer have not tripled."
Producer Sercan Satmaz said that there is no market problem with bananas. Sitemap said: "We harvest between 6 and 8 tons of bananas per acre on average. We are happy to do this job, but the cost raises put us in trouble. We expect loans and incentives from our government. We do not have a market shortage; we cannot even meet one-third of the demand."
Mehmet Doymaz also complained about the increase in greenhouse costs. Joymax said, "It takes around 17.500 USD to set up a banana greenhouse. Costs have soared. We cannot foresee the future, we cannot plan ahead. Input prices need to be stopped in order for us to be able to continue production."
Producer Ahmet Ozer also drew attention to the high prices between the producer and the market prices. Ozer said: "We have been in this business for three or four years. The banana business is not easy, but we try to increase production as much as we can. We market the banana to the domestic market, but we cannot fulfill the demand completely. The price of bananas is low right now. The purchase price at the greenhouse should be at least 1 USD/kg so that we can survive. The commissioners, the retailers, and the middlemen earn more than us."
Ozer stated that while three greenhouses were installed per month in the past years, new greenhouse installations have stopped now and said, "We used to be able to pay the cost of the greenhouse in 5 years, now we can only pay this cost in 8-9 years."
Source: Aydinlik