Cotton is a strategic product that forms the basic raw material of many industrial branches such as textile, oil, feed and cellulose. It is considered one of the most demanded agricultural products in the world due to its wide area of ​​use and economic value. For this reason, cotton is also called “white gold” among the public.

The reality of cotton production and import in Turkey

Although Turkey has significant potential in cotton production, domestic production can only meet half of the current need. The remaining cotton need is supplied through imports from abroad. This situation both weakens the competitive power of the domestic producer and increases external dependency.

The producer is trying to survive under difficult conditions

Cotton producers are facing serious economic difficulties due to increasing input costs, low purchase prices and inadequacies in support policies. The producer, who works hard in the field for months, often loses money because he cannot sell his product at the price it deserves.

Hamza Kaya, a producer who harvests cotton in the Güvendere Neighborhood of Diyarbakır’s Yenişehir district, told Şoperêç about his experiences.