Turkish Hazelnut Harvest and TMO Price — 2026-09-02
As the 2026/27 hazelnut harvest accelerates in Turkey’s Black Sea region, a significant price divergence has emerged between the state-backed TMO purchase price and the free market. While the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) set floor prices at TRY 255/kg for Giresun quality, free-market rates have slumped to around TRY 180/kg, causing distress among producers and squeezing exporter margins. Meanwhile, global markets remain "frozen" as buyers await clarity on the recovering Turkish crop volume, estimated at approximately 805,000 tonnes.
Turkish Hazelnut Harvest and TMO Price — 2026-09-02
Top developments
Free Market Prices Collapse Below TMO Floor
By September 1, 2026, a stark gap had opened between official state prices and actual trading levels. While TMO announced a floor price of TRY 255/kg for Giresun-quality hazelnuts, reports from Ordu and Trabzon indicate free-market prices have fallen to approximately TRY 180/kg. This discrepancy is attributed to harvest pressure and cautious buyer behavior, leaving farmers who cannot access TMO quotas due to limits or location forced to sell at significantly lower rates.
Global Market "Frozen" Ahead of Oregon Harvest
International trade in hazelnuts has stalled, described by industry analysts as "frozen," as global buyers wait for concrete data on Turkey’s final crop size before committing to contracts. This stand-off is critical for confectionery giants like Ferrero, who rely heavily on Turkish supply; uncertainty over whether the crop will meet the estimated 805,000-tonne forecast is keeping spot prices volatile.
TMO Begins Purchases in Key Provinces
The Turkish Grain Board (TMO) officially commenced purchasing operations in Ordu and Giresun, the heart of Turkey’s hazelnut production. The start of these purchases is intended to stabilize the market by providing a guaranteed outlet for producers, although local reports suggest that quota limitations and logistical bottlenecks are preventing all eligible farmers from selling at the announced TRY 250–255/kg rates.
Local view
Local media in the Black Sea region highlight growing frustration among producers. Ordu Olay Gazetesi reports that farmers who invested in orchard maintenance to increase yields are now "helpless" due to TMO quotas that cap the amount they can sell at the higher state price, forcing them into the lower-paying free market. Taka Gazete notes that while TMO prices remain fixed, the free market is "volatile" with significant regional differences, creating confusion and financial stress for smallholders.
Context & numbers
- TMO Purchase Prices: For the 2026/27 season, TMO set the floor price at TRY 255/kg for Giresun quality, TRY 250/kg for Levant quality, and TRY 245/kg for Sivri quality.
- Free Market Prices: As of early September 2026, free-market prices in key regions like Sakarya and Ordu have hovered around TRY 180–190/kg, well below the state guarantee.
- Crop Estimate: The July nut-cluster count from the Black Sea Hazelnut and Products Exporters’ Association estimates the Turkish crop at approximately 805,000 tonnes, representing a ~55% recovery from the frost-hit 2025/26 crop of ~518,000 tonnes.
- Labor Costs: Reports from Ordu indicate elevated seasonal wages for threshing and drying services due to tight rural labor supply and short work windows.
On the radar
- Weather Watch: Short-term forecasts for the Black Sea coast predict scattered brief showers, which could delay drying processes for farmers relying on open-air methods, potentially impacting kernel quality if rain persists.
- Export Margins: With TMO prices high and free-market prices low, exporters face compressed margins if they must buy from the free market to fulfill international contracts, or face reputational risk if they bypass local producers.
- Ferrero Sourcing: Continued scrutiny of Ferrero’s supply chain diversification efforts, particularly in Chile and Oregon, as they seek to mitigate reliance on the volatile Turkish market.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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