A severe frost event between April 10-12, 2025, has inflicted widespread crop damage across 36 of Turkey’s 81 provinces, sparking concerns about the nation’s agricultural stability and potential economic fallout. Temperatures plummeted to a chilling -15°C (5°F), impacting a wide array of crops critical to Turkey’s agricultural sector.
Agricultural Crisis in Turkey
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has described the event as one of the most devastating agricultural frosts in recent Turkish history. Initial estimates place losses in the billions of liras, with some vineyard owners in key grape-producing regions like Manisa reporting almost 80% damage to their crops. An Agricultural Frost Warning was issued for the Aegean, Inner Aegean, and Western Black Sea regions, but the damage was already done.
Crop Damage and Impact
Crops such as apricots, apples, hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, and grapes have been particularly hard hit. The frost has also raised significant concerns about potential losses in winter wheat areas, especially in Central Anatolia, Turkey’s largest wheat production region, where record low temperatures for the past 30 years have been recorded.
Threat to Wheat Production
The severe weather event poses a threat to Turkey’s wheat production, potentially impacting both domestic supplies and international trade. Concerns are rising about the potential for reduced yields and the need for increased wheat imports to compensate for the losses.
Government Response and Recovery
The Turkish government is assessing the full extent of the damage and is expected to announce support measures for affected farmers and regions. The recovery process is expected to be lengthy and challenging, requiring significant investment and careful management to restore agricultural productivity.