CHP MP Mahmut Tanal requested a base price application for pistachios

(ANKARA) – CHP Şanlıurfa Deputy Mahmut Tanal submitted a petition to the Soil Products Office (TMO) requesting that a base price be implemented for pistachios. Tanal said, “TMO should determine a base price and make purchases for pistachios in the Southeast, just like hazelnuts and tea in the Black Sea region. The difference in application between hazelnuts and pistachios is against the principle of equality.”

CHP Şanlıurfa Deputy Mahmut Tanal, Şanlıurfa Provincial Chairman Ferhat Karadağ and Şanlıurfa Provincial Deputy Chairman Mustafa Koyuncu submitted a petition to TMO to implement a base price for pistachio products.

Tanal said that pistachio producers were losing money and noted that in order to prevent this situation, TMO should purchase pistachios and base prices should be determined.

“The difference in application between hazelnuts and pistachios is against the principle of equality,” said Tanal, adding:

“As it is known, pistachios, which are called Urfa pistachios, Antep pistachios and Siirt pistachios in our country, are a prominent product both in Turkey and around the world with their unique flavor, wide usage area and economic value. Our province of Şanlıurfa meets 50 percent of pistachio production in our country on its own. In other words, Şanlıurfa is the capital of both GAP and pistachios. However, pistachio producers in Şanlıurfa and other provinces of the Southeast are in a victim situation due to the fact that pistachio prices have not increased despite the increase in agricultural input costs. Pistachio production is a process that requires long-term patience and labor.

Tanal stated that producers cannot sell at a fair price because there is no base price for pistachios, and continued as follows:

“Our producers cannot sell their products at a fair price. Currently, the price of a kilo of fresh pistachios, a new crop in Şanlıurfa, has fallen to 100 lira. Farmers are losing money. TMO should determine a base price and make purchases for pistachios in the Southeast, just like hazelnuts and tea in the Black Sea region. The difference in application between hazelnuts and pistachios is against the principle of equality. TMO’s purchase of pistachios will allow producers to sell their products with a certain price guarantee. This will prevent market prices from falling too much and will secure the income of producers. In addition, TMO’s purchases will help control market supply and ensure price stability.

“It is a shame that there is no licensed warehousing in Şanlıurfa and no pistachio institute”

In addition, we demand the establishment of a Peanut Research Institute or a Nuts Institute in Şanlıurfa. At the same time, a Peanut Exchange needs to be established in Şanlıurfa, licensed warehousing needs to be developed and modern pistachio processing and packaging facilities need to be established. These steps will increase the branding of Urfa pistachios and the quality and efficiency of pistachio production. Just think, in Şanlıurfa, the capital of pistachios, you go to Gaziantep for processing and packaging pistachios. It is a shame that there is no licensed warehousing in Şanlıurfa and no institute related to pistachios! We expect TMO to purchase pistachios, set a base price and take other necessary steps in order to eliminate the victimization of pistachio producers in Şanlıurfa and other provinces.