In the Alanya district of Antalya, avocados are the main source of income for farmers, and this year they pleased producers in terms of pricing.
After the harvest of fuerte variety avocados in Alanya was completed, the harvest of hass variety avocados began. Avocados, which are the livelihood of many families in Alanya, made farmers happy this year, but producers are concerned about rising input costs. Fuerte variety avocados were sold for the highest price of 55 lira per piece this year. Farmers are emphasizing the need for precautions to prevent theft of expensive avocados.In Elikesik neighborhood of Alanya, Fevzi Elçi, who produces avocados on 20 acres of land, said, “Our season was not that bad this year. But there is no stability in prices. Prices need to be stabilized in the market like tomatoes and cucumbers. When it falls into someone’s hands, some buy it for 10 lira, while others get it for 5 lira. I grow avocados on 20 acres of land. My 5-6 year old trees are just starting to produce. I am happy now. Prices start off and end well, but when they increase in between, they lower the prices. We want a market to be established for farmers.”Elçi, who stated that the highest-priced avocados were sold for 55 lira per piece, said, “At the beginning of the season, prices started at an average of 35-40 lira. In November-December, they dropped the price to 25 lira per piece. They lowered the price to 15 lira for 250 grams. Currently, pieces over 250 grams are priced at 50-55 lira, which is good, but there is currently no product in the market. I collected 1 ton of hass group avocados yesterday and sold them for 150-180 lira per kilo. The harvest of fuerte variety avocados starts in October-November and continues until March. The harvest of hass avocados starts on February 15 and is awaited until April. Labor is the biggest cost for producers. I want a market to be established for avocados.”Hilmi Sevilgen, President of the Alanya Avocado Growers Association, stated that the avocado season in Alanya went well this year. He said, “The price was around 200-210 lira per kilogram. We almost finished the harvest of fuerte variety avocados. In addition to this, we started the harvest of pincerton variety avocados, which is a rare breed in our country. In March, we started the harvest of hass variety avocados. The harvest of hass variety continues until late May.”Addressing the situation of imported avocados from Lebanon and the necessity of imposing taxes on imported avocados, Sevilgen said, “Especially in January, there is talk of avocados imported from Lebanon, which we see and hear about. We do not know what kind of tax measures the authorities are taking regarding their entry into the country. It has slightly impacted the market of local producers. Avocado production in our country is very difficult. The avocados we produce are superior in size, taste, aroma, and vitamins, so we specifically request some restrictions to be imposed until the third month regarding this issue. Avocado production in our country is increasing gradually. There will be no problems due to avocado production. Our exports and production will continue. If avocados imported from outside are left unregulated, our producers in the domestic market will face significant difficulties. Our recommendation to the authorities is to apply the tax system that is implemented for bananas to the imported avocados.”