STB President Mustafa Genç made assessments regarding the 2026 hazelnut harvest forecast.
Mustafa Genç, Chairman of the Board of the Sakarya Commodity Exchange, attended the 2026 Hazelnut Yield Forecast Commission meeting and shared his assessments regarding the forecast.
Noting that the work for the yield forecast was completed with a focus on the seven hazelnut-producing districts, Chairman Genç expressed satisfaction that the hazelnut yield—estimated at 73,521 tons in 2025—has been projected at 89,261 tons for 2026.
Chairman Genç stated, "Fieldwork conducted in the regions of Sakarya where hazelnut production is concentrated indicates a higher yield compared to last year. We attribute this increase to the rise in rainfall—contrasting with last year's drought—and the positive results of efforts to combat the brown marmorated stink bug."
Emphasizing the need for uninterrupted efforts to combat the brown marmorated stink bug, Chairman Mustafa Genç said, "Proper pruning, correct fertilization, plant nutrition based on soil analysis, and appropriate irrigation practices directly affect hazelnut yield and quality. During fieldwork, 'tip dieback' was observed in some orchards and was found to negatively impact yield. If producers carry out orchard maintenance on time, apply correct pruning techniques, and continue to effectively combat diseases and pests, it will significantly contribute to increasing both product quality and yield per decare." Chairman Mustafa Genç stated that hazelnut yield forecasting efforts are of great importance for production planning, market projections, and the determination of sector policies, and expressed his hope that the projected yield would prove beneficial for producers, members, Sakarya, and the national economy.