The Cut Flower Sectoral Analysis Meeting was held by the Antalya Commodity Exchange (ATB) to evaluate changes in cut flower exports and production. Central Anatolian Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters' Association President Ismail Yilmaz, members of the ATB 6th Professional Committee, and industry leaders attended the meeting, which was presided over by Ali Candir and moderated by ATB 6th Professional Committee President Ertan Altuntas. The issues facing the cut flower industry were discussed, along with suggestions to solve those issues. A decline in output projections from the Turkish Statistical Institute was anticipated, and Candir stressed that the drop would further hamper an already struggling agricultural economy.
Candir highlighted that the market is contracting, prices are declining, and the expenses of producing and exporting flowers are increasing. "We are working to develop the cut flower sector. Our goal is to develop a low-cost social security system that is appropriate for the structure of our sector. ATB's "Social Security for Agriculture" program intends to alleviate the labor shortage in agriculture. A 160-day vocational training program for the cut flower industry that includes both theoretical and practical instruction, as well as guaranteed employment, can be arranged in partnership with state employment organizations. Training initiatives might be started in response to industry demand. The feasibility report for the Antalya Agriculture-Based Specialized Greenhouse Organized Industrial Zone has been finished, and if there are no issues with land allocation, the implementation phase will start."
According to Ismail Yilmaz, President of the Central Anatolia Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters' Association, the lack of financing and assistance provided shows how the agriculture sector has been neglected. "Last year, we exported 481 million stems of flowers, but this year, we've only sent 451 million stems, a 3% decrease," Yilmaz remarked, pointing out that cut flower production expenses have increased while export numbers have decreased. "We need larger areas. There is a marketing problem in the industry. We are unable to enter new markets. One of the main issues in production is financing. We're finding it really challenging to compete. Everyone is selling flowers for absurdly high prices."
Source: Ekonomim
