Turkish Farmers Face Soaring Costs Despite Bumper Harvest

As combine harvesters sweep across the golden wheat fields of Ankara’s Golbasi district, Turkish farmers are breathing a sigh of relief at yields that have exceeded expectations thanks to abundant rainfall and favourable growing conditions. However, the optimism brought by one of the strongest grain harvests in recent years is being tempered by a familiar and deepening challenge: soaring production costs. Chief among these is the price of diesel, which has spiked dramatically amid renewed conflict in the Middle East. Since tensions between the United States and Iran flared up again in early July, fuel prices in Turkiye have been raised three times, with the retail price per litre climbing from around 27 Turkish lira last year to over 70 lira currently. While the government introduced a temporary fuel stabilisation mechanism in April to shield consumers from sharp fluctuations, farmers say it has done little to offset the burden during one of the busiest agricultural seasons. “This year’s harvest is better than usual compared to last year, but high yields alone are not enough to save us,” grain farmer Omer Temizsoy told Xinhua, gesturing towards a line of trucks beside his newly harvested field. “Costs have doubled compared to last year. Fuel prices are going up almost every week.” The financial strain extends beyond crop farming. Livestock producer Umut Uzum noted that the rising costs of feed, barley, and fertiliser are squeezing margins even as production remains stable. “Everything is getting more expensive, and we are struggling to keep up,” he said. Debt is compounding the crisis in rural areas. According to Ismail Derin, another grain farmer in Golbasi, nearly 80 percent of farmers are now reliant on bank loans just to maintain their operations. As the last combines make their slow journey across the Anatolian plains, the relief of a strong harvest is mixed with anxiety. Whether this year’s bounty translates into financial security will depend less on the weather and more on factors unfolding far beyond the farm gate.