The loss of yield in the flower greenhouses, which were damaged due to the heavy snow in Isparta, worries the representatives of the sector about foreign markets.
In Isparta, which has an important potential in cut flower production, the heavy snow that has been effective in the past weeks has also damaged the flower greenhouses. Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters' Association Chairman Ismail Yilmaz told Anadolu Agency: "About 600 acres of greenhouse collapsed due to heavy snow in Isparta. Some of these greenhouses had production, and some of them were going to be planted these days."
Stating that they can supply products by producing flowers for 12 months, Ismail Yilmaz stated that they produce in hot climate cities such as Antalya during the winter period and in provinces with lower temperatures such as Isparta during the summer period. Stating that they can send products year-round to both domestic and international customers in this way, Yilmaz said the following:
"After the production season in Antalya was over, we were sending products to our customers in Europe from the greenhouses in Isparta. Antalya season will end in May. Due to the collapsed greenhouses in Isparta, we will not be able to send products to our European customers in June and July. This was bad for ensuring continuity. It is very difficult to acquire a customer. If you cannot deliver the product for 12 months after connecting it to yourself, the customer prefers another country. Our biggest concern right now is to lose customers to other countries, which have been earned by years of effort and money."
Yilmaz said that they started 2022 well in terms of flower exports, but they are worried about not reaching the targeted figures in the summer period, adding, "There is a loss of 8 million USD due to the collapsed greenhouses, according to the first estimates. However, the export figures in June and July worry us the most. 8 million USD must be spent on its physical structure. Considering that we will not be able to offer flowers to the market in June, there is a loss of at least 20 million dollars." Yilmaz pointed out that Antalya also experienced a very cold winter and emphasized that this situation had a negative impact on the quantity of available products.
Noting that 1,000 flowers are cut per acre under normal conditions, Yilmaz said, "This situation causes the prices to rise. It is more beneficial for the producer to have a lower price and a higher number of flowers."
Source: Finans Gundem