Spring cold snaps reduced the fruit harvest in Turkey by nearly a quarter

Turkey is battling the consequences of one of the most significant agricultural catastrophes in the last 10 years, after April frosts destroyed fruit crops in key production regions, the electronic publication FreshPlaza reported. The weather in April in Turkey has been described as the most catastrophic in the last 30 years, precisely during the flowering period of most fruit trees. The Turkish Parliament created a commission to assess damages and recommend urgent measures. Official forecasts from the Turkish Statistical Institute predict a 24.4% decline in the country's fruit crop this year, while the central bank raised its food inflation forecast to 26.5%, citing cold temperatures as a decisive factor. Cherries were especially hard hit, with key provinces like Izmir, Manisa, and Kütahya suffering enormous damages, with estimated production losses in some areas reaching 80%. Although the harvest has been collected in some regions, market supply remains scarce and expensive. ...