CHP Member Çakır Reacts to Trakya Birlik Over Sunflower Prices

Anıl Çakır, Keşan District Chair of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), began his criticism of the advance price announced by Trakya Birlik with the following remarks: “As we enter the 2025 sunflower harvest season, the 28 TL advance price announced by Trakya Birlik may at first glance appear to be a positive step for producers, but when you look more closely, you see that this is not the case at all. Sunflower producers in Turkey’s fertile lands are struggling to survive, caught between an unprecedented drought and an unfair pricing policy. This is because the price is based on a crude oil content of 44 percent. So let’s ask: “Given the severe drought conditions we’ve experienced this year, is there any crop in Thrace that meets this quality standard?”

“THE DROUGHT HAS TAKEN HOLD OF EVERY CORNER OF THE THRAKIAN PLAIN”

Reminding everyone that the drought has gripped the Thrace Region, District Chairman Çakır stated, “The truth is: Drought has gripped every corner of the Thrace Plain. Our region has been experiencing a serious lack of rainfall for quite some time. Groundwater levels have dropped, surface moisture has disappeared, and plant growth is weak. The oil content in sunflowers is directly related to climate, soil moisture, and the stage of plant development. This year, forget about 44 percent—even a 40 percent oil content would be considered high. “The vast majority of producers will harvest crops in the 38–40 percent range,” he said.