Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that the cold snap has caused problems in the country and has caused damage to a number of agricultural crops.
"Due to the sharp cold snap, frost, snowfall and hail are observed in some parts of our country. In places, the thermometers are minus 17 degrees. There are no risks regarding the domestic food supplies of strategically important agricultural products, especially cereals, legumes and oilseeds. However, due to the low temperatures, problems have arisen with some types of fruit. “Various damages have been caused to apricots, grapes, apples, peaches and nectarines,” the president said during a speech after a cabinet meeting.
Erdogan added that he could not yet provide exact figures on the damage caused by the frost. “The situation will become clear after the damage assessment work is completed. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is taking the necessary measures and making an assessment,” he said. The government, he said, “supports farmers and producers with all its resources and capabilities in these difficult days.“
Konya University Professor Haluk Gedikoglu reportedthat frosts in Turkey have destroyed up to 80% of the future grape harvest and 50% of the apricot, apple and cherry harvest, which will lead to a decrease in their exports to Russia in 2025.