Industry stakeholders at the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) congress in Mallorca from May 8-10 are looking to gain insights into crop forecasts for Turkish sultanas, dried apricots, and hazelnuts.
In April, Turkey experienced a cold wave, causing extensive damage to various crops. Agriculture Minister Ibrahim Yumakli described the frost as "one of the largest agricultural frost events in Turkish history, after the major frost event of 2014."
In western Turkey, temperatures dropped below 0°C from Manisa to Saruhanli and Kapakli, affecting grapevines. Saruhanli reported the most damage. Crop estimates for the 2025/26 sultana campaign range between 130,000 and 240,000 tons.
In Malatya, the primary apricot region, temperatures fell below 0°C as trees began fruiting, potentially resulting in a 95% loss of the apricot crop.
Northern Turkey, along the Black Sea coast, also faced winter conditions, with snow and frost impacting areas like Trabzon, Giresun, Samsun, and Ordu. This led to increased local prices for in-shell hazelnuts exceeding TRY 200/kg and TRY 400/kg for shelled hazelnuts. The TMO (Turkish Grain Board) was selling the 2022 hazelnut crop at TRY 125/kg in-shell but paused sales in April, with speculation that approximately 15,000 tons remain unsold.
Anticipation surrounds early season forecasts for Turkish sultanas, dried apricots, and hazelnuts, expected to be revealed at the INC event."
Source: Mintec/Expana