Tensions in the Middle East caused by US attacks on Iran have hit agriculture, compounded by rising agricultural input costs and fuel prices. According to the wholesale index data for July 2026 from the Antalya Commodity Exchange (ATB), the volume of tomatoes traded in July rose by 25.90 per cent year-on-year, whilst the price index climbed by 30.27 per cent. Although the volume of fruit traded fell by 13.03 per cent, the price index rose by 25.68 per cent. For vegetables, the volume of trade increased by 13.37 per cent, whilst the price index recorded the highest year-on-year increase at 64.03 per cent.

TOMATO PRICES UP BY 41 PER CENT

On a monthly basis, however, there was a decline in trading volumes across all product groups. The volume of trade in tomatoes fell by 66.18 per cent, in vegetables by 61.40 per cent, and in fruit by 27.12 per cent. During the same period, the tomato price index rose by 41.12 per cent, the vegetable price index by 37.85 per cent, whilst the fruit price index fell by 2.10 per cent. According to ATB data, when comparing July figures over the last eight years, the 66.18 per cent fall in the volume of tomato trade was the third-highest decline, whilst the 41.12 per cent increase in the price index was the fourth-highest rise on record.

Ebru Akdağ, Chair of the Antalya Branch of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, stated whilst assessing the Antalya Commodity Exchange’s July wholesale market index data that one of the main reasons for the annual rise in vegetable prices was the renewed export to the Russian market. Akdağ recalled that Russia, to which Turkey had been unable to export tomatoes for approximately 5–6 years, had previously sourced its supplies from Iran. “As Iran was unable to send produce to Russia due to the Iran–Israel–US conflict, Russia began purchasing from Turkey once again. This, in turn, has started to push tomato prices even higher,” she said.

Emphasising that the war has affected not only exports but also production costs, Akdağ said that the rise in oil prices has had a direct impact on agricultural inputs, particularly fertiliser. He noted that, due to disruptions in trade routes, there have been periodic difficulties in the supply of fertiliser and other raw materials, which has also increased costs.

Akdağ pointed out that reservoir levels across Turkey had risen following the rainfall, describing this as a positive development for agricultural production. He stated that, thanks to this year’s rainfall, an increase of between 10 and 15 per cent was expected in wheat, fruit and vegetable production, and noted that a productive season was already beginning to be reflected in prices.

DEPENDENCE MUST END

Akdağ pointed out that transport costs also place a significant burden on prices, stating that costs for transporting produce from Antalya to Istanbul have risen sharply in recent months. “In addition to the price of the produce, there are also costs for loading and unloading, cold storage and refrigerated transport. ‘Diesel prices, in particular, are putting producers under pressure. At present, when you factor in the cost of loading labour, bridge tolls and so on, a tomato costs at least 35 lira to transport from Antalya to Istanbul,’ he said.

Akdağ, who emphasised that rail transport must be developed as a solution, said, “Dependence on diesel must be minimised. The producer’s primary role is to produce. Once production is complete, the producer should no longer have to worry about other processes. Strengthening co-operatives in the processing and marketing of produce is of great importance in this regard.”

Note: This article is translated from the original article titled Gıdada fiyatlar aşağı çekilemiyor, published in BirGün newspaper on August 3, 2026.