Pecan Market Update September 25, 2006
Dear Customer:
The pecan cold storage report for the month of August has been released. You may note from the attached chart that the July figures were revised to reflect a 12.866 million pound less supply for July. Also, August shows a 28.163 million pound disappearance; therefore, 169 million pounds is reported for the end of August. The September disappearance will complete the pecan calendar year and that number will be our “so called” carry over.
Reportedly, at the NSPA meeting, the estimate for the upcoming crop was 204.5 million pounds. Other discussion at the meeting was that imports would be 67 million pounds. For many reasons, it is becoming more and more difficult to rely on some of these numbers given the vast differences – especially the import estimate.
One additional estimate for the US Crop will be made available by the USDA on October 10th. Let’s see what they report.
To date, we have been blessed with Mother Nature cooperating and there has been no significant harm to the upcoming crop aside from some hail damage reported in New Mexico. This type of damage normally is isolated.
At this time, we feel that without any adverse weather conditions, the crop could produce north of 200 million pounds. Add in the estimated carry over of 140 million pounds and more likely import estimation of 90 million pounds – leaves us with a total estimated supply picture of 430 million pounds. Hopefully this will allow for prices to come down this coming year.
As always, our goal is to report it to you the way it is and we promise to continually do so. We also usually close with proceed with caution and this is especially true today.
Please feel free to call if you have any questions.
Kind Regards,
Bentzy Klein
Monday, September 25, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
India: cashew council to focus on exports
The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India has decided to focus on increasing the production of raw nuts to 1.9 million MTs, and export of cashew kernels to 2,75,000 MTs by 2020.
According to the CEPCI-Vision 2020, presented by Walter D'Souza, chairman of CEPCI and released by Union Minister Oscar Fernandes here on Sunday, the country would have to increase its raw nut production to 1.9 million tonnes to achieve the export target of 2,75,000 tonnes of cashew kernels as against the current 1,15,000 tonnes.
The move, according to the document, would translate to employment generation of 850 million man-days for 1.25 million workers and sustainable horticulture by one million farmers. The CEPCI would formulate good manufacturing practices for cashew industry on a par with world standards by March 2007 to achieve zero defects by December 2007. The council would intensify programmes for technological upgradation and modernisation of the cashew industry to meet buyers' expectations.
The council also proposed to improve packaging and presentation of cashew to give added value to customers. Besides, it would work towards quality certification and rating for cashew exporters. The council has promised to explore new markets, leading to exports to 125 countries as against the 65 at present. The CEPCI will target a growth of 50 per cent in exports to 20 focus countries in the new markets to be explored.
The council, the document said, would ensure that 20 per cent of the cashew exported would be value added and marketed with `Made in India' brand. The council has also decided to increase awareness about nutrition value of cashews to target groups and benefits of cashew to a larger audience. It will initiate necessary studies in nutrition in cashew to substantiate, validate and confirm the benefits to the consumer.
The council has also decided to initiate efforts to maximise the usage and export of all other cashew products such as cashew apple and its by-products. Mr. Fernandes inaugurated the valedictory session of the CEPCI's golden jubilee celebration. Principal Secretary (Industry) T. Balakrishnan, prominent cashew exporters and officials of the CEPCI attended the function.
The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India has decided to focus on increasing the production of raw nuts to 1.9 million MTs, and export of cashew kernels to 2,75,000 MTs by 2020.
According to the CEPCI-Vision 2020, presented by Walter D'Souza, chairman of CEPCI and released by Union Minister Oscar Fernandes here on Sunday, the country would have to increase its raw nut production to 1.9 million tonnes to achieve the export target of 2,75,000 tonnes of cashew kernels as against the current 1,15,000 tonnes.
The move, according to the document, would translate to employment generation of 850 million man-days for 1.25 million workers and sustainable horticulture by one million farmers. The CEPCI would formulate good manufacturing practices for cashew industry on a par with world standards by March 2007 to achieve zero defects by December 2007. The council would intensify programmes for technological upgradation and modernisation of the cashew industry to meet buyers' expectations.
The council also proposed to improve packaging and presentation of cashew to give added value to customers. Besides, it would work towards quality certification and rating for cashew exporters. The council has promised to explore new markets, leading to exports to 125 countries as against the 65 at present. The CEPCI will target a growth of 50 per cent in exports to 20 focus countries in the new markets to be explored.
The council, the document said, would ensure that 20 per cent of the cashew exported would be value added and marketed with `Made in India' brand. The council has also decided to increase awareness about nutrition value of cashews to target groups and benefits of cashew to a larger audience. It will initiate necessary studies in nutrition in cashew to substantiate, validate and confirm the benefits to the consumer.
The council has also decided to initiate efforts to maximise the usage and export of all other cashew products such as cashew apple and its by-products. Mr. Fernandes inaugurated the valedictory session of the CEPCI's golden jubilee celebration. Principal Secretary (Industry) T. Balakrishnan, prominent cashew exporters and officials of the CEPCI attended the function.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Hazelnut farmers backed Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2006
Ankara
Turkey's state grain office TMO has signed a preliminary deal to borrow $400 million from international banks to buy thousands of tonnes of hazelnuts from farmers demanding government help because of low market prices.
Turkey's Black Sea region produces most of the world's hazelnuts. Protests at low prices by tens of thousands of farmers has prompted the government to buy hazelnuts for the first time in the country's history, a year before elections.
Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker said the TMO would pay 4 lira ($2.73) per kilo of benchmark Giresun hazelnuts.
Last year average market prices were around 7 lira per kilo but have fallen to around 2.5 lira this year.
TMO general director Ismail Kemaloglu said the TMO could buy between 50,000-100,000 tonnes of hazelnuts. A crop of around 650,000 tonnes is expected this year.
The price disappointed farmers.
'This price pleased European importers and this country's brokers but not farmers,' the Union of Turkish Agriculture Chambers (TZOB) said in a statement.
Some economists are worried that the loans could damage shaky fiscal balances by adding to the losses of state companies paid by the Turkish Treasury and trigger a warning from the International Monetary Fund, with which Turkey has a $10 billion standby accord.
Eker said the TMO's hazelnut purchases would be funded by asset-backed international loans and rejected worries about extra spending.
'There is no need to worry and hesitate on this ... This is nothing to do with the Treasury or the IMF,' he said.
Kemaloglu said he hoped the TMO could sell the hazelnuts it buys without incurring losses.Reuters
Ankara
Turkey's state grain office TMO has signed a preliminary deal to borrow $400 million from international banks to buy thousands of tonnes of hazelnuts from farmers demanding government help because of low market prices.
Turkey's Black Sea region produces most of the world's hazelnuts. Protests at low prices by tens of thousands of farmers has prompted the government to buy hazelnuts for the first time in the country's history, a year before elections.
Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker said the TMO would pay 4 lira ($2.73) per kilo of benchmark Giresun hazelnuts.
Last year average market prices were around 7 lira per kilo but have fallen to around 2.5 lira this year.
TMO general director Ismail Kemaloglu said the TMO could buy between 50,000-100,000 tonnes of hazelnuts. A crop of around 650,000 tonnes is expected this year.
The price disappointed farmers.
'This price pleased European importers and this country's brokers but not farmers,' the Union of Turkish Agriculture Chambers (TZOB) said in a statement.
Some economists are worried that the loans could damage shaky fiscal balances by adding to the losses of state companies paid by the Turkish Treasury and trigger a warning from the International Monetary Fund, with which Turkey has a $10 billion standby accord.
Eker said the TMO's hazelnut purchases would be funded by asset-backed international loans and rejected worries about extra spending.
'There is no need to worry and hesitate on this ... This is nothing to do with the Treasury or the IMF,' he said.
Kemaloglu said he hoped the TMO could sell the hazelnuts it buys without incurring losses.Reuters
Friday, September 15, 2006
Weather-trimmed peanut crop may have silver liningSep 15, 2006 8:53 AM
By Brad HaireUniversity of Georgia
Due to severely dry, hot weather over most of the summer, the U.S. peanut crop will be smaller then expected. Crop loss is never good, but there is a silver lining to this one, says a University of Georgia economist.
Coming off a good year of increased acres and good yields, peanut farmers this spring were facing a peanut surplus of around 1 million tons, says Nathan Smith, a Cooperative
Extension Service peanut economist with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
“One of the biggest concerns at planting time for the peanut industry was that large surplus,” he says. The weather-shortened crop this year will slash that surplus and should lead to better prices for farmers next year.
The peanut industry likes to keep some surplus peanuts in storage to make sure enough are around to meet consumer demand for peanut butter and snack food each year. But the extra peanuts this spring were about three times that comfort level, he says.
Few contracts were issued at planting time, he said. Shellers were comfortable there would be enough peanuts to meet demand. Four years ago, contracts were going for $400 to $425 per ton. Last year, contracts lowered to around $370.
Farmers had to settle for $355 per ton, the price guaranteed under the 2002 U.S. farm bill, for the surplus peanuts.
Peanut farmers reacted to the looming surplus by planting fewer acres in May, the normal planting month, he says.
Georgia farmers traditionally produce close to half of the total U.S. peanut crop each year. This spring they planted 580,000 acres, about 23 percent less than their 2005 acreage. U.S. farmers collectively planted 1.3 million acres this spring, 24 percent less than in 2005.
But even with decreased acres, he said, there was a good chance that surplus wouldn’t have budged. If everything had gone well and average yields were met this year, the United States would have produced 2 million tons of peanuts, about what the United States uses and exports annually. The surplus would have remained. It just would have been newer peanuts going into storage, he says.
But then summer hit hot and dry.
“The peanut situation can be summed up in two words: not good,” says John Beasley, a UGA Extension agronomist.
Between June and August, rainfall across most of Georgia was below normal, with many days of temperatures in the mid-90s. That combination is tough on plants trying to send pegs into the ground to make peanuts, he says. Insect and disease pressure, too, has taken a toll on yields.
“That surplus outlook has quickly disappeared,” Smith says.
U.S. peanut farmers are expected to yield about 2,645 pounds per acre, 315 pounds less per acre than last year. Georgia farmers are expected to average around 2,500 pounds per acre, 370 pounds less per acre.
Total U.S. peanut production is expected to be around 1.6 million tons, about 30 percent less than last year. “And I think it will end up being less than what is currently projected,” Smith says.
If all this holds, the surplus that started this year’s crop off will be knocked back to what it was about two years ago, he says, or about 500,000 tons. It’s still a large surplus, but not near as daunting to the industry.
“I believe there will be an improvement in prices for next year’s crop, too,” Smith says. “If not, producers have shown that they will respond to surpluses by not planting.”
By Brad HaireUniversity of Georgia
Due to severely dry, hot weather over most of the summer, the U.S. peanut crop will be smaller then expected. Crop loss is never good, but there is a silver lining to this one, says a University of Georgia economist.
Coming off a good year of increased acres and good yields, peanut farmers this spring were facing a peanut surplus of around 1 million tons, says Nathan Smith, a Cooperative
Extension Service peanut economist with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
“One of the biggest concerns at planting time for the peanut industry was that large surplus,” he says. The weather-shortened crop this year will slash that surplus and should lead to better prices for farmers next year.
The peanut industry likes to keep some surplus peanuts in storage to make sure enough are around to meet consumer demand for peanut butter and snack food each year. But the extra peanuts this spring were about three times that comfort level, he says.
Few contracts were issued at planting time, he said. Shellers were comfortable there would be enough peanuts to meet demand. Four years ago, contracts were going for $400 to $425 per ton. Last year, contracts lowered to around $370.
Farmers had to settle for $355 per ton, the price guaranteed under the 2002 U.S. farm bill, for the surplus peanuts.
Peanut farmers reacted to the looming surplus by planting fewer acres in May, the normal planting month, he says.
Georgia farmers traditionally produce close to half of the total U.S. peanut crop each year. This spring they planted 580,000 acres, about 23 percent less than their 2005 acreage. U.S. farmers collectively planted 1.3 million acres this spring, 24 percent less than in 2005.
But even with decreased acres, he said, there was a good chance that surplus wouldn’t have budged. If everything had gone well and average yields were met this year, the United States would have produced 2 million tons of peanuts, about what the United States uses and exports annually. The surplus would have remained. It just would have been newer peanuts going into storage, he says.
But then summer hit hot and dry.
“The peanut situation can be summed up in two words: not good,” says John Beasley, a UGA Extension agronomist.
Between June and August, rainfall across most of Georgia was below normal, with many days of temperatures in the mid-90s. That combination is tough on plants trying to send pegs into the ground to make peanuts, he says. Insect and disease pressure, too, has taken a toll on yields.
“That surplus outlook has quickly disappeared,” Smith says.
U.S. peanut farmers are expected to yield about 2,645 pounds per acre, 315 pounds less per acre than last year. Georgia farmers are expected to average around 2,500 pounds per acre, 370 pounds less per acre.
Total U.S. peanut production is expected to be around 1.6 million tons, about 30 percent less than last year. “And I think it will end up being less than what is currently projected,” Smith says.
If all this holds, the surplus that started this year’s crop off will be knocked back to what it was about two years ago, he says, or about 500,000 tons. It’s still a large surplus, but not near as daunting to the industry.
“I believe there will be an improvement in prices for next year’s crop, too,” Smith says. “If not, producers have shown that they will respond to surpluses by not planting.”
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Sep 13, 2006Tons of almonds vanish in nut heists (2:55 p.m.)
Farmers have long been plagued by commodity thieves, typically pilferers who might make off with a car trunk load of melons or a prize steer in the night. But authorities are now tracking a string of large-scale heists -- entire truckloads of almonds, 44,000 pounds or 22 tons of nuts at a throw -- plaguing San Joaquin Valley wholesalers."We've had 10 tractor-trailer loads (stolen) in just slightly over a year," said Cliff Emery, an agricultural crime specialist with ACTION (Agricultural Crime Technology Information and Operations Network).While almond prices have varied greatly over that period, up to around $4 per pound at one point and down to half that at another, at $3 per pound, the stolen nuts are worth more than $1.3 million.Investigators are puzzling over how the thief or thieves can dispose of such large volumes of almonds."It's not the type thing you're going to get rid of 4 pounds here, 5 pounds there," Emery said. "Whoever's doing this has a venue in place or has a way to get rid of the crop or knows someone who knows out to get rid of the crop."For more, see tomorrow's Record.
Farmers have long been plagued by commodity thieves, typically pilferers who might make off with a car trunk load of melons or a prize steer in the night. But authorities are now tracking a string of large-scale heists -- entire truckloads of almonds, 44,000 pounds or 22 tons of nuts at a throw -- plaguing San Joaquin Valley wholesalers."We've had 10 tractor-trailer loads (stolen) in just slightly over a year," said Cliff Emery, an agricultural crime specialist with ACTION (Agricultural Crime Technology Information and Operations Network).While almond prices have varied greatly over that period, up to around $4 per pound at one point and down to half that at another, at $3 per pound, the stolen nuts are worth more than $1.3 million.Investigators are puzzling over how the thief or thieves can dispose of such large volumes of almonds."It's not the type thing you're going to get rid of 4 pounds here, 5 pounds there," Emery said. "Whoever's doing this has a venue in place or has a way to get rid of the crop or knows someone who knows out to get rid of the crop."For more, see tomorrow's Record.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Nut purchaser to decide on new president
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Current President Salih Erdem defended the policies of the embattled hazelnut purchaser, which has failed to repay its debts to producers ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
Salih Erdem, chairman of the Hazelnut Growers' Union (Fiskobirlik) executive board, speaking at an extraordinary board meeting held on Tuesday, accused certain circles of “having lobbied to create a thornless rose garden by excluding Fiskobirlik.”
The extraordinary assembly convened with 430 members to vote in a new chairman. Erdem and Ordu General Manager Yaşar Pamuk were the only candidates.
Fiskobirlik, a cooperative that buys and markets hazelnuts, has not been able to repay its debts to producers and has come under harsh criticism from the government and hazelnut producers as prices have tumbled. In his speech, Erdem blamed exporters and European businesses for having lobbied to push down prices and keep Fiskobirlik out of the loop.
Erdem said Fiskobirlik had done its best to repay debts to hazelnut growers and that in the past it had protected producers by purchasing hazelnuts. “Both the nut growers and the Treasury earned money. [This year] they did not let us take loans [to purchase hazelnuts], despite our being the only union which has paid its debts to the Supporting Price Stability Fund,” complained Erdem.
Hazelnut growers also had to share some of the blame, he added. This season they sold too many nuts on account hoping that they might later be able to negotiate higher prices. Some producers gave their nuts to merchants temporarily free-of-charge when prices were YTL 6-7 per kilogram but then later had to accept YTL 3-4. The situation was a result of “pressures being applied and efforts to bring down hazelnut prices,” Erdem explained.
Errors in hazelnut-yield estimates for 2006 were of an unprecedented scale, added Erdem. Fiskobirlik had estimated a 483-thousand-ton yield, while exporters expected at least 520 thousand tons, and this was another factor that prevented Fiskobirlik from selling its hazelnut stock to repay debts, claimed Erdem. The actual figure will be closer to 650 million tons.
Recalling that the Agricultural Products Office (TMO) had recently been assigned to purchase excess produce, Erdem said that Fiskobirlik had hoped to sell its stock to the TMO and pay back its debts, but that had not been possible due to the low price fixed by the TMO.
The TMO recently announced the purchase price of hazelnuts as YTL 4, with producers criticizing the figure as too low.
In reply to criticism directed at Fiskobirlik, Erdem said that the company had gone from 299th on the list of Turkey's biggest businesses, to 150th 2005 and 77th in 2006. “We would have made it to the 25th place had we been able to pay back our debts,” Erdem said, asking his critics “Do you call this a failure?”
Erdem said that Fiskobirlik's high purchasing prices in the past three years had caused disturbance among European companies and their collaborators at home. “They constantly lobbied to push down hazelnut prices. This is what is happening today,” Erdem elaborated.
Fiskobirlik might be forced to sell some of its assets in order to repay its debts, said Erdem, and expressed hope that Fiskobirlik would leave financial difficulties behind as soon as possible.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Guinea-Bissau: unsold cashews a disaster for farmers
Staring hunger in the face, farmer Aladje Madio Dembo has travelled to the Guinea Bissau capital Bissau in a desperate bid to sell his 10-tonne cashew nut harvest and raise some cash. "I am willing to sell all my cashew harvest, even if it's just for 100 CFA [20 cents] a kilo," said Dembo, after a week of fruitless hunting for a buyer in the capital.
Guinea Bissau's cashew crop is usually bought by merchants who take the raw nut to India for processing. But this year they have refused to buy, saying the government-set price of 350 CFA per kilo is too high. Cashew nuts are Guinea Bissau's main export, but according to Minister of Commerce Pascoal Domingos Batica, some 30,000 tonnes of the nut - 30 percent of the harvest – is sitting in stores, unsold.
Portugal introduced cashew trees from Latin America to its African colonies, including Guinea Bissau. But it is in the years since independence in 1974 that the cashew nut has grown to become the base of the Guinea Bissau economy. Farmers have even stopped growing the national staple food, rice, in favour of the mighty cashew and now the country doesn't grow enough rice to feed itself.
Some 85 percent of Guinea Bissauans, like Dembo, rely on cashew sales for their livelihoods. With their crop unsold, they are struggling to buy rice to feed their families. The United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has repeatedly warned that Guinea Bissau is on the brink of an agricultural crisis after 85 percent of rice paddies were ruined during last year's floods in the country's main rice growing areas in the south.
Source
Staring hunger in the face, farmer Aladje Madio Dembo has travelled to the Guinea Bissau capital Bissau in a desperate bid to sell his 10-tonne cashew nut harvest and raise some cash. "I am willing to sell all my cashew harvest, even if it's just for 100 CFA [20 cents] a kilo," said Dembo, after a week of fruitless hunting for a buyer in the capital.
Guinea Bissau's cashew crop is usually bought by merchants who take the raw nut to India for processing. But this year they have refused to buy, saying the government-set price of 350 CFA per kilo is too high. Cashew nuts are Guinea Bissau's main export, but according to Minister of Commerce Pascoal Domingos Batica, some 30,000 tonnes of the nut - 30 percent of the harvest – is sitting in stores, unsold.
Portugal introduced cashew trees from Latin America to its African colonies, including Guinea Bissau. But it is in the years since independence in 1974 that the cashew nut has grown to become the base of the Guinea Bissau economy. Farmers have even stopped growing the national staple food, rice, in favour of the mighty cashew and now the country doesn't grow enough rice to feed itself.
Some 85 percent of Guinea Bissauans, like Dembo, rely on cashew sales for their livelihoods. With their crop unsold, they are struggling to buy rice to feed their families. The United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has repeatedly warned that Guinea Bissau is on the brink of an agricultural crisis after 85 percent of rice paddies were ruined during last year's floods in the country's main rice growing areas in the south.
Source
TMO starts surplus hazelnut purchases
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
Agriculture Minister Mehmet Mehdi Eker and Energy Minister Hilmi Güler officially started the purchase of excess hazelnuts from producers on Monday at a ceremony in Giresun's Bulancak region.
Eker, speaking to journalists, said their efforts were aimed at addressing the problems of hazelnut growers. He said the growers would receive half of their money when their hazelnuts were bought and the remainder15 days later.
He said he believed the Agricultural Products Office (TMO) would do a good job, noting that the 50 TMO centers around the country would be open to receive the produce.
No limit would placed on the sale of excess hazelnuts because the TMO purchase was aimed at alleviating the problems faced by producers, Eker assured producers. He said the TMO had found the necessary funds for the purchase, allowing the state to pay for the surplus.
Despite the minister's assurances the TMO center in Ordu failed to start its purchases on Monday, with officials arguing that the depot they would be using was undergoing renovation. Producers were told to come to the office with documentation only to get an appointment to bring in their produce.
Many producers had brought their hazelnuts to the center in trucks and were disappointed, with some arguing with officials about who will be paying for their losses due to delays.
The hazelnut problem:
Hazelnut growers are up in arms over the Hazelnut Growers' Union's (Fiskobirlik) failure to pay them on time and the huge hazelnut surplus that has adversely affected prices. On July 10 Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan dismissed complaints made to him by a hazelnut grower and told him to address his grievances to Fiskobirlik. He said the government had advised Fiskobirlik to sell hazelnuts when the price was high and that its failure to do so had resulted in the current problem. Fiskobirlik still owes YTL 125 million to the growers and argues that its requests for loans have been rejected by both state and private banks. It has called for an emergency meeting, to be held today, to address the current deadlock. Until 2003 Fiskobirlik was state run; it purchased excess hazelnut production and recorded an average annual loss of YTL 100 million. After 2003 the union became autonomous and state assistance stopped.
Turkey's annual hazelnut consumption is around 70,000 tons. It exports between 400,000 and 450,000 tons, almost 80 percent of global consumption, making it the world leader in hazelnut production. In 2005 it exported hazelnuts to 50 nations, netting more than $1.5 billion (1.17 billion euros) for the state coffers.
This year growers will produce around 650,000 tons of hazelnuts, a figure considerably in excess of current demand. Efforts are under way to increase domestic consumption to 100,000 tons per annum.
More than 2 million people in the Black Sea region make their living from hazelnuts, and the plunge in prices is having major social consequences, with smaller growers facing huge debts and even financial ruin. Losses are estimated at $2.5 billion across the industry, experts say.
In July between 100,000 and 150,000 protesters took to the streets of Ordu on the Black Sea, in the hazelnut heartland of northern Turkey, to protest government policy. Industry representatives warn there is more trouble in store unless something is done.
The president of the influential Ankara Chamber of Commerce, Sinan Aygun, called for a “mobilization” to prevent the crisis from causing social problems in hazelnut-producing areas. His organization decided to distribute nuts to schools to get rid of overproduction. “Hazelnuts are the cornerstone of the Turkish economy,” he said, calling on Turks to eat more of the “national” food.
The TMO recently announced the purchase price of hazelnuts as YTL 4, with producers criticizing the figure as too low.
© 2005 Dogan Daily News Inc. www.turkishdailynews.com.tr
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
Agriculture Minister Mehmet Mehdi Eker and Energy Minister Hilmi Güler officially started the purchase of excess hazelnuts from producers on Monday at a ceremony in Giresun's Bulancak region.
Eker, speaking to journalists, said their efforts were aimed at addressing the problems of hazelnut growers. He said the growers would receive half of their money when their hazelnuts were bought and the remainder15 days later.
He said he believed the Agricultural Products Office (TMO) would do a good job, noting that the 50 TMO centers around the country would be open to receive the produce.
No limit would placed on the sale of excess hazelnuts because the TMO purchase was aimed at alleviating the problems faced by producers, Eker assured producers. He said the TMO had found the necessary funds for the purchase, allowing the state to pay for the surplus.
Despite the minister's assurances the TMO center in Ordu failed to start its purchases on Monday, with officials arguing that the depot they would be using was undergoing renovation. Producers were told to come to the office with documentation only to get an appointment to bring in their produce.
Many producers had brought their hazelnuts to the center in trucks and were disappointed, with some arguing with officials about who will be paying for their losses due to delays.
The hazelnut problem:
Hazelnut growers are up in arms over the Hazelnut Growers' Union's (Fiskobirlik) failure to pay them on time and the huge hazelnut surplus that has adversely affected prices. On July 10 Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan dismissed complaints made to him by a hazelnut grower and told him to address his grievances to Fiskobirlik. He said the government had advised Fiskobirlik to sell hazelnuts when the price was high and that its failure to do so had resulted in the current problem. Fiskobirlik still owes YTL 125 million to the growers and argues that its requests for loans have been rejected by both state and private banks. It has called for an emergency meeting, to be held today, to address the current deadlock. Until 2003 Fiskobirlik was state run; it purchased excess hazelnut production and recorded an average annual loss of YTL 100 million. After 2003 the union became autonomous and state assistance stopped.
Turkey's annual hazelnut consumption is around 70,000 tons. It exports between 400,000 and 450,000 tons, almost 80 percent of global consumption, making it the world leader in hazelnut production. In 2005 it exported hazelnuts to 50 nations, netting more than $1.5 billion (1.17 billion euros) for the state coffers.
This year growers will produce around 650,000 tons of hazelnuts, a figure considerably in excess of current demand. Efforts are under way to increase domestic consumption to 100,000 tons per annum.
More than 2 million people in the Black Sea region make their living from hazelnuts, and the plunge in prices is having major social consequences, with smaller growers facing huge debts and even financial ruin. Losses are estimated at $2.5 billion across the industry, experts say.
In July between 100,000 and 150,000 protesters took to the streets of Ordu on the Black Sea, in the hazelnut heartland of northern Turkey, to protest government policy. Industry representatives warn there is more trouble in store unless something is done.
The president of the influential Ankara Chamber of Commerce, Sinan Aygun, called for a “mobilization” to prevent the crisis from causing social problems in hazelnut-producing areas. His organization decided to distribute nuts to schools to get rid of overproduction. “Hazelnuts are the cornerstone of the Turkish economy,” he said, calling on Turks to eat more of the “national” food.
The TMO recently announced the purchase price of hazelnuts as YTL 4, with producers criticizing the figure as too low.
© 2005 Dogan Daily News Inc. www.turkishdailynews.com.tr
Monday, September 11, 2006
Hazelnut Prices Announced Published: 9/11/2006
- "THE PURCHASE PRICE OF 50 YIELD HAZELNUT IS 4 YTL "
ANKARA - Agriculture & Rural Affairs Minister Mehdi Eker announced on Wednesday that, the purchase price of 50 yield hazelnut is 4 YTL.(One dollar equals 1.46 YTL.)
Speaking at a press conference, Eker said, "the purchases will be made by the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) and will start as of 11 September, Monday''. He indicated that, 50 p.c. of the payments will be made at the moment of the purchase and the rest will be paid in 15 days.
Meanwhile, the president of the Union of Turkish Chambers of Agriculture (TZOB) Semsi Bayraktar criticized the posted price and said, " the posted price is far from to satisfy the producers. This price is good only for European hazelnut buyers."
Turkey dominates the world hazelnut trade, with more than 70 percent of the total world supply. More than two million people in the Black Sea region make their living from hazelnuts.
- "THE PURCHASE PRICE OF 50 YIELD HAZELNUT IS 4 YTL "
ANKARA - Agriculture & Rural Affairs Minister Mehdi Eker announced on Wednesday that, the purchase price of 50 yield hazelnut is 4 YTL.(One dollar equals 1.46 YTL.)
Speaking at a press conference, Eker said, "the purchases will be made by the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) and will start as of 11 September, Monday''. He indicated that, 50 p.c. of the payments will be made at the moment of the purchase and the rest will be paid in 15 days.
Meanwhile, the president of the Union of Turkish Chambers of Agriculture (TZOB) Semsi Bayraktar criticized the posted price and said, " the posted price is far from to satisfy the producers. This price is good only for European hazelnut buyers."
Turkey dominates the world hazelnut trade, with more than 70 percent of the total world supply. More than two million people in the Black Sea region make their living from hazelnuts.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Vietnam: cashew exporters move beyond subsidies
Agricultural exporters are optimistic about weathering the upcoming elimination of subsidies, a move required for Viet Nam to accede to the World Trade Organisation. Cashew exporters, for instance, are not heavily dependent on agricultural subsidies, said Vietnam Cashew Association general secretary Nguyen Van Lang.
The cashew sector has only received VND600 million (US$37,760) from the Governmant this year to fund trade promotion, Lang said. Vietnam Food Association general secretary Nguyen Thi Nguyet concurred, saying that subsidies aimed at stabilising the prices of agricultural produce were removed many years ago.
All that remained were incentive payments aimed at encouraging enterprises to strengthen trade, and these would be discontinued by the Ministry of Trade by the end of this year, she said. "I think we shouldn’t be too worried about the elimination of agricultural export subsidies because they were so small," said Pham Chi Lan, former vice chairwoman of Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
Lan argued that, to lift the competitiveness of agricultural products, the Government needed to invest further in improving the quality of agricultural products and in carefully researching export markets about which the country’s enterprises lack needed information. It was also necessary to restructure ineffective State-owned companies, she added.
The State’s supportive policies must comply with WTO regulations, and could include investment in agricultural and rural infrastructure which includes roads, electricity, and irrigation, applying high technology, and training workers, said Doan Ngoc Bong, VCCI deputy chairman.
The Plant Protection Department, for instance, has co-operated with the An Giang Plant Protection Joint Stock Co to train farmers of 22 provinces in the nation’s southern region to produce chemical-free vegetables in compliance with the standards of Good Agriculture Practices (GAP).
The Vietnam Farmers Association expects to organise many activities to help farmers enhance competitiveness, such as the Viet Nam Agricultural Products Fair known as Trau Vang Dat Viet (Viet Nam Golden Buffallo) to be held in October.
"The association is trying to support farmers in production and business skills in order to increase their competitiveness as Vietnam enters the WTO," said association chairman Vu Ngoc Ky.
Agricultural exporters are optimistic about weathering the upcoming elimination of subsidies, a move required for Viet Nam to accede to the World Trade Organisation. Cashew exporters, for instance, are not heavily dependent on agricultural subsidies, said Vietnam Cashew Association general secretary Nguyen Van Lang.
The cashew sector has only received VND600 million (US$37,760) from the Governmant this year to fund trade promotion, Lang said. Vietnam Food Association general secretary Nguyen Thi Nguyet concurred, saying that subsidies aimed at stabilising the prices of agricultural produce were removed many years ago.
All that remained were incentive payments aimed at encouraging enterprises to strengthen trade, and these would be discontinued by the Ministry of Trade by the end of this year, she said. "I think we shouldn’t be too worried about the elimination of agricultural export subsidies because they were so small," said Pham Chi Lan, former vice chairwoman of Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
Lan argued that, to lift the competitiveness of agricultural products, the Government needed to invest further in improving the quality of agricultural products and in carefully researching export markets about which the country’s enterprises lack needed information. It was also necessary to restructure ineffective State-owned companies, she added.
The State’s supportive policies must comply with WTO regulations, and could include investment in agricultural and rural infrastructure which includes roads, electricity, and irrigation, applying high technology, and training workers, said Doan Ngoc Bong, VCCI deputy chairman.
The Plant Protection Department, for instance, has co-operated with the An Giang Plant Protection Joint Stock Co to train farmers of 22 provinces in the nation’s southern region to produce chemical-free vegetables in compliance with the standards of Good Agriculture Practices (GAP).
The Vietnam Farmers Association expects to organise many activities to help farmers enhance competitiveness, such as the Viet Nam Agricultural Products Fair known as Trau Vang Dat Viet (Viet Nam Golden Buffallo) to be held in October.
"The association is trying to support farmers in production and business skills in order to increase their competitiveness as Vietnam enters the WTO," said association chairman Vu Ngoc Ky.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Gov't Sets Base Hazelnut Prices as 4 YTL per Kilo By Cihan News Agency Thursday, September 07, 2006
Turkish government has revealed the base price of hazelnut prices as four New Turkish Liras (YTL), ca. $2.75, per kilo.
Turkish Minister of Agriculture Mehdi Eker on Wednesday announced that the Agricultural Products Office (TMO) would purchase hazelnuts produced by Turkish farmers at a rate of 4 YTL ($2.75) per kilo as of September 11.
Eker went on to say that there would be no purchasing limits, adding that half of the payments would be made in advance and the other half would be transferred to growers’ bank accounts in 15 days.
The hazelnut problem has been at the top of the agenda in Turkey for over a month. Hazelnut producers held protests late in July when the Hazelnut Agricultural Cooperative Association (Fiskobirlik) failed to pay them on time, and also due to the huge hazelnut surplus that has adversely affected prices.
On July 30, tens of thousands of Turkish farmers demonstrated in the northeastern Black Sea city of Ordu, one of the main hazelnut producing areas in Turkey, to protest the policy adopted by the government against hazelnut producers.
In 2005, Turkey, which is the world's main producer of hazelnuts, broke its all-time record for hazelnut export revenues with earnings of 1 billion 932 million dollars.
Hazelnut crops in Turkey cover an area of 700,000 hectares which produce a harvest of around 550 thousand tons.
Turkey produces 70 percent of the world's hazelnuts exporting them to around 80 countries, with the US in particular being a significant importer
Turkish government has revealed the base price of hazelnut prices as four New Turkish Liras (YTL), ca. $2.75, per kilo.
Turkish Minister of Agriculture Mehdi Eker on Wednesday announced that the Agricultural Products Office (TMO) would purchase hazelnuts produced by Turkish farmers at a rate of 4 YTL ($2.75) per kilo as of September 11.
Eker went on to say that there would be no purchasing limits, adding that half of the payments would be made in advance and the other half would be transferred to growers’ bank accounts in 15 days.
The hazelnut problem has been at the top of the agenda in Turkey for over a month. Hazelnut producers held protests late in July when the Hazelnut Agricultural Cooperative Association (Fiskobirlik) failed to pay them on time, and also due to the huge hazelnut surplus that has adversely affected prices.
On July 30, tens of thousands of Turkish farmers demonstrated in the northeastern Black Sea city of Ordu, one of the main hazelnut producing areas in Turkey, to protest the policy adopted by the government against hazelnut producers.
In 2005, Turkey, which is the world's main producer of hazelnuts, broke its all-time record for hazelnut export revenues with earnings of 1 billion 932 million dollars.
Hazelnut crops in Turkey cover an area of 700,000 hectares which produce a harvest of around 550 thousand tons.
Turkey produces 70 percent of the world's hazelnuts exporting them to around 80 countries, with the US in particular being a significant importer
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
US: July's heat heavily damaged Oregon's blueberry crops
One-hundred-degree heat in July caused a sharp reduction in the Oregon blueberry crop, as many growers had feared. The latest estimate for the 2006 blueberry harvest is about 34 million pounds -- 6 million pounds less than was projected, according to the Oregon Blueberry Commission.
Before the July heat wave, which coincided with harvest time, it had been shaping up to be a bumper crop. The heat reduced yields, and berries were sunburned. "We just got slammed with those triple-digit hot days," said Oregon Blueberry Commission administrator Bryan Ostlund. The good news for growers is that price and demand for blueberries remain strong.
One-hundred-degree heat in July caused a sharp reduction in the Oregon blueberry crop, as many growers had feared. The latest estimate for the 2006 blueberry harvest is about 34 million pounds -- 6 million pounds less than was projected, according to the Oregon Blueberry Commission.
Before the July heat wave, which coincided with harvest time, it had been shaping up to be a bumper crop. The heat reduced yields, and berries were sunburned. "We just got slammed with those triple-digit hot days," said Oregon Blueberry Commission administrator Bryan Ostlund. The good news for growers is that price and demand for blueberries remain strong.
Almond theft: Tough cases for growers to crack
Issue Date: September 6, 2006
By Christine SouzaAssistant Editor
With the almond harvest well under way in the Central Valley, growers and sheriff's deputies are renewing their efforts to combat the increasing problem of stolen almonds.
The farmers and officers are working together to develop information that may lead to suspects as well as prevent further thefts.
The ACTION (Agricultural Crime Technology Information and Operations Network) Project recently reported that during the 2005-06 crop year, more than $1.3 million worth of almonds were stolen from growers and shippers in the San Joaquin Valley. Truckload after truckload, thieves allegedly trespassed onto properties, cut fences and broke locks to get to the valuable nuts. Sheriff's deputies say thieves hot-wired several tractor-trailers around the Central Valley and were able to flee with almonds that were awaiting shipment overseas.
"These guys know exactly what they are doing. They are experienced in handling truckloads of commodities and come with the specific intent of stealing truckloads of almonds," said Cliff Emery, ACTION Project agricultural crime specialist. "Right now they are targeting the finished product that is ready to go to an end user. If the price for almonds escalates, they could target field product."
California almond growers in 2004-05 produced $2.2 billion worth of almonds. This harvest season began in mid-August in the southern San Joaquin Valley-about two weeks later than average.
Emery said that the rash of thefts began last year with a theft of two container loads of almonds taken from a location at the Merced-Madera county line. Shortly after, two more container loads were nabbed in Livingston in Merced County. About a month after that theft, thieves hit again in Denair in Stanislaus County.
Scott Phippen, president of Travaville and Phippen Inc., a grower, packer and shipper of almonds in Manteca, was victimized in July. He had two finished container loads of about 44,000 pounds each of almonds waiting at his San Joaquin County facility to be transported to the Port of Oakland.
"We had some loads scheduled for transport following July 4th week, but because that week was compressed, there were two days that the port wasn't going to be open," Phippen said. "The trucking company asked us if we could prepare two of the loads."
Because traffic was tied up in the Bay Area due to the holiday, Phippen said he had to wait before sending the two container loads.
"Typically we don't load a container unless it is going to leave that day," Phippen said. "What we should have done and what I would advise anybody to do is if a container doesn't go, unload it. Put it back in the warehouse even though it takes some time."
Phippen hooked his two truck tractors underneath the two containers and locked them, thinking that would be an adequate precaution.
"I know now that it is very easy to hot-wire a diesel truck. The thieves broke into our fence that night and found the two loaded containers hooked to the two trucks, hot-wired them, cut the bolts to the lock on our main gate and just drove them out. They took them to a truck stop and traded them with their truck tractors and took them away."
With the price of almonds in the range of $3 per pound and 44,000 pounds in each load, Phippen experienced a loss of about $264,000. Fortunately the almonds were insured.
Almond growers met with law enforcement and insurance company representatives last month at the Almond Board of California office in Modesto. While there, they discussed commonalities of the various almond container thefts and worked toward developing a prevention plan.
Tips to prevent thefts
Insurance company representatives, law enforcement officials and other rural crime experts offer these tips to help almond growers prevent thefts:
Do not leave a container loaded with almonds unless the truck is going directly to the port that same day. If it is not possible to transport the container, unload its contents until it is ready to go to the port, or park the load in a locked warehouse. To prevent containers from being left unattended, ensure that the trucking company takes the load directly to the port.
Ensure that the farm's security system is updated and working properly. With security cameras, see that the cameras are in good working order and are mounted in locations that will be able to record any suspicious activity. Install motion detector lights nearby so that the camera can take a clear picture of the suspect at night.
Consider hiring security guards, especially during nighttime hours. When choosing a security guard, be sure candidates provide references.
Fully understand your insurance policy. Know where your liability begins and ends. Check with your insurer to clarify any unknowns and to ask questions.
Do not become an easy target. Take every step you can to avoid becoming a victim. Develop close relationships with local law enforcement and report any thefts or suspicious activity.
(Christine Souza is a reporter for Ag Alert. She may be contacted at csouza@cfbf.com.)
Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item. Top
Issue Date: September 6, 2006
By Christine SouzaAssistant Editor
With the almond harvest well under way in the Central Valley, growers and sheriff's deputies are renewing their efforts to combat the increasing problem of stolen almonds.
The farmers and officers are working together to develop information that may lead to suspects as well as prevent further thefts.
The ACTION (Agricultural Crime Technology Information and Operations Network) Project recently reported that during the 2005-06 crop year, more than $1.3 million worth of almonds were stolen from growers and shippers in the San Joaquin Valley. Truckload after truckload, thieves allegedly trespassed onto properties, cut fences and broke locks to get to the valuable nuts. Sheriff's deputies say thieves hot-wired several tractor-trailers around the Central Valley and were able to flee with almonds that were awaiting shipment overseas.
"These guys know exactly what they are doing. They are experienced in handling truckloads of commodities and come with the specific intent of stealing truckloads of almonds," said Cliff Emery, ACTION Project agricultural crime specialist. "Right now they are targeting the finished product that is ready to go to an end user. If the price for almonds escalates, they could target field product."
California almond growers in 2004-05 produced $2.2 billion worth of almonds. This harvest season began in mid-August in the southern San Joaquin Valley-about two weeks later than average.
Emery said that the rash of thefts began last year with a theft of two container loads of almonds taken from a location at the Merced-Madera county line. Shortly after, two more container loads were nabbed in Livingston in Merced County. About a month after that theft, thieves hit again in Denair in Stanislaus County.
Scott Phippen, president of Travaville and Phippen Inc., a grower, packer and shipper of almonds in Manteca, was victimized in July. He had two finished container loads of about 44,000 pounds each of almonds waiting at his San Joaquin County facility to be transported to the Port of Oakland.
"We had some loads scheduled for transport following July 4th week, but because that week was compressed, there were two days that the port wasn't going to be open," Phippen said. "The trucking company asked us if we could prepare two of the loads."
Because traffic was tied up in the Bay Area due to the holiday, Phippen said he had to wait before sending the two container loads.
"Typically we don't load a container unless it is going to leave that day," Phippen said. "What we should have done and what I would advise anybody to do is if a container doesn't go, unload it. Put it back in the warehouse even though it takes some time."
Phippen hooked his two truck tractors underneath the two containers and locked them, thinking that would be an adequate precaution.
"I know now that it is very easy to hot-wire a diesel truck. The thieves broke into our fence that night and found the two loaded containers hooked to the two trucks, hot-wired them, cut the bolts to the lock on our main gate and just drove them out. They took them to a truck stop and traded them with their truck tractors and took them away."
With the price of almonds in the range of $3 per pound and 44,000 pounds in each load, Phippen experienced a loss of about $264,000. Fortunately the almonds were insured.
Almond growers met with law enforcement and insurance company representatives last month at the Almond Board of California office in Modesto. While there, they discussed commonalities of the various almond container thefts and worked toward developing a prevention plan.
Tips to prevent thefts
Insurance company representatives, law enforcement officials and other rural crime experts offer these tips to help almond growers prevent thefts:
Do not leave a container loaded with almonds unless the truck is going directly to the port that same day. If it is not possible to transport the container, unload its contents until it is ready to go to the port, or park the load in a locked warehouse. To prevent containers from being left unattended, ensure that the trucking company takes the load directly to the port.
Ensure that the farm's security system is updated and working properly. With security cameras, see that the cameras are in good working order and are mounted in locations that will be able to record any suspicious activity. Install motion detector lights nearby so that the camera can take a clear picture of the suspect at night.
Consider hiring security guards, especially during nighttime hours. When choosing a security guard, be sure candidates provide references.
Fully understand your insurance policy. Know where your liability begins and ends. Check with your insurer to clarify any unknowns and to ask questions.
Do not become an easy target. Take every step you can to avoid becoming a victim. Develop close relationships with local law enforcement and report any thefts or suspicious activity.
(Christine Souza is a reporter for Ag Alert. She may be contacted at csouza@cfbf.com.)
Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item. Top
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