Business · Energy & Commodities · 5 hrs ago
Blocked Black Sea shipping drives down citrus prices in Adana
Adana citrus growers say blocked Black Sea shipping is slowing exports of lemons and early mandarins from southern Türkiye.
The disruption is linked to the Russia-Ukraine war, and growers say they cannot send as much produce abroad as they want.
Trucking to Russia and Ukraine costs about $9,000 to $10,000 per shipment, compared with about $3,000 by ship.
In Adana, lemons that first sold for 8 to 12 lira per kilogram are now down to about 5 lira, while mandarins have fallen from 8 to 10 lira to 5 to 7 lira.
Some small lemons and much of the crop are still waiting in orchards because exports are not economical at current transport costs.
The slowdown also leaves some farm workers without work and limits factory activity.
Growers have asked officials to consider alternative routes, including a rail link through Hatay and Georgia, and are waiting for a response.
Citrus prices in Adana have fallen as shipping disruptions in the Black Sea make exports more expensive.
Lemons are selling for as little as 5 lira per kilogram at orchards, while mandarins are at 5–7 lira.
Industry representatives say truck transport to Russia and Ukraine costs about $9,000–$10,000, compared with roughly $3,000 by sea.
Producers say fruit is remaining unharvested because exports are limited and domestic prices are too low.
A local agriculture official says some farm workers are also idle because harvesting has slowed.
- Who
- Citrus producers and traders in Adana, represented by Yüreğir Agriculture Chamber head Mehmet Akın Doğan.
- What
- Black Sea shipping disruption and high transport costs are limiting citrus exports and pushing down prices.
- When
- The article was published on 13 October 2026; the harvest is under way.
- Where
- Adana, Türkiye, with exports intended for Russia and Ukraine and other markets.
- Why
- The article links the fall in prices to restricted Black Sea shipping, costly road transport, and pressure from stored lemons and imports from Argentina and South Africa.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The announced cutting date for lemons was 11 September.
The announced export date for lemons was 21 September.
The announced cutting date for early mandarins was 29 September.
The announced export date for early mandarins was 6 October.
Doğan said he met Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and asked officials to consider alternative routes around the Black Sea disruption.
- Lemon orchard price
- As low as 5 lira per kilogram
- Mandarin orchard price
- 5–7 lira per kilogram
- Truck transport to Russia and Ukraine
- $9,000–$10,000
- Sea transport
- About $3,000
- Small lemons
- Fruit under 55 millimetres is reportedly failing to find buyers and remaining on trees
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What people are saying
Şu anda limona talep var ancak Karadeniz’de gemi trafiği kapalı olduğu için ürünlerimizi istediğimiz ölçüde gönderemiyoruz.
Tırla Rusya ve Ukrayna’ya gönderimin maliyeti 9-10 bin doları bulurken gemiyle bu rakam yaklaşık 3 bin dolar.
Bu nedenle çiftçimiz kara kara düşünüyor, tarım işçilerimizin önemli bir bölümü de iş olmadığı için boşta kalıyor.