Turkish Tea Producers Protest as Prices Plummet: 'We Can’t Even Buy Bread with One Kilo of Tea'

The tea harvest season in Rize, which commenced in May, has turned into a source of distress for local producers due to the restrictive purchasing quotas imposed by ÇAYKUR, Turkey's state tea company. These measures have led to overwhelming congestion at buying centers, leaving approximately 205,000 tea growers in a precarious situation. Farmers have voiced their frustrations, stating that the current prices are so low that they cannot even afford basic necessities. Producers have claimed that they are being forced to turn to private buyers as a result of ÇAYKUR's limitations. One farmer lamented, 'With one kilogram of tea, we can't even purchase two loaves of bread. If this continues, we will have no choice but to throw our tea into the river.' This sentiment reflects the growing desperation among farmers who feel they are being squeezed by both low prices and the inability to sell their product effectively. As the situation worsens, many producers are calling for urgent reforms to ensure fair pricing and better purchasing conditions. The outcry highlights a larger issue within Turkey's agricultural sector, where farmers are increasingly struggling to maintain their livelihoods amid rising production costs and market instability. With the tea harvest still ongoing, it remains to be seen how officials will respond to the mounting pressure from producers and whether any measures will be put in place to alleviate their burdens. The future of Turkey's tea industry hangs in the balance as farmers demand action to protect their livelihoods and ensure that they receive a fair price for their hard work.