Sakarya’s 2026 Hazelnut Harvest Forecast at 89,000 Tons

Hezelnut

The Sakarya Provincial Coordination Board of Agricultural Chambers has announced the province’s 2026 hazelnut production forecast, producers’ expectations for the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) intervention purchase price, as well as the recommended daily wages for seasonal agricultural workers and hourly rates for hazelnut threshing services.

Speaking after the meeting held at the Adapazarı Chamber of Agriculture, Ali Şener Bayraktar, Chairman of the Sakarya Union of Agricultural Chambers, said the yield estimation commission had completed its 20-day field surveys and calculations.

According to the commission’s assessment, Sakarya’s 2026 hazelnut production is estimated at 89,261 tons.

Ali Şener Bayraktar, President of the Sakarya Union of Chambers of Agriculture

Bayraktar noted that the study covered seven districts and approximately 787,490 decares (78,749 hectares) of hazelnut orchards, adding that potential production risks still remain.

Harvest Wages Announced

Bayraktar stated that no single wage had been set for the entire province, as labor demand varies according to farm size and productivity.

Following consultations with the heads of the Karasu and Kocaali Chambers of Agriculture, the recommended daily wage was set at TRY 1,600 in Karasu and Kocaali, while the recommended rate for the remaining districts is TRY 1,750.

He added that employers and workers are free to negotiate wages above or below these reference figures.

The hourly fee for hazelnut threshing machines was determined at TRY 5,500.

Producers Expect a TMO Purchase Price of TRY 300

Bayraktar also said hazelnut producers in Sakarya expect the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) to announce an intervention purchase price of TRY 300 per kilogram for the 2026 harvest.

Mustafa Genç, President of the Sakarya Commodity Exchange

Higher Yield Expected Than Last Year

Mustafa Genç, Chairman of the Sakarya Commodity Exchange, welcomed the revised production estimate, noting that the forecast represents an increase of more than 20 percent compared with the 73,521-ton estimate for the 2025 crop.

Genç said field inspections conducted across the province’s major hazelnut-growing areas indicate a significantly higher harvest this year.

Hezelnut

He attributed the expected increase to improved rainfall conditions, following last year's drought, as well as the positive results of the ongoing campaign to combat the brown marmorated stink bug, one of the most significant threats to hazelnut production.

Genç emphasized that efforts to control the pest must continue without interruption and stressed that proper pruning, balanced fertilization, soil analysis-based nutrient management, and appropriate irrigation practices are also essential for improving both hazelnut yield and quality.