Turkish tomato farmers block roads in protest over skyrocketing costs

Tomato producers from Türkiye’s Balikesir, Bandirma district, have launched a march to Ankara, blocking roads with tractors to protest escalating costs and inadequate purchase prices.

The farmers, hailing from Aksakal village, have expressed frustration over unsold tomatoes and called on the Ministry of Agriculture to address their grievances.

Key Points from protest

• Frustration over prices: The producers are frustrated by the low prices and high costs of production, leading to unsold crops and financial strain.
• Joint statement: The farmers criticized the perception of their tractors as “million-dollar machines” and called for support for domestic seeds and local production. They emphasized the strategic importance of food production, likening it to weapons.
• Political support: The protest saw support from Balıkesir Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Akin, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Balikesir Provincial Chairman Erden Koybasi, CHP Balikesir MP Serkan Sarı, and opposition Good Party Balikesir MP Turhan Comez.

Meanwhile, the farmers have announced that they will continue their protests, blocking roads, until they have a meeting with the minister to address low prices for their products.

Reminiscent of EU farmers

While such protests by farmers are rare in Türkiye, this particular example is reminiscent of the farmers’ protests in EU countries at the beginning of 2024.

In EU member states, farmers organized protests over high costs and falling incomes. The protests spread from east to west across the continent.

In Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Greece, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Romania and now Spain, farmers protested with tractors.