THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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August 2026…
There are just a few weeks left until the cotton harvest. Better Cotton Initiative (BCI – IPUD) Chairman Muzaffer Turgut Kayhan announced that the current weather conditions are encouraging in terms of quality and yield, whilst emphasising that the significant reduction in cultivation areas remains the most significant risk to the sector’s future.
BCI Board Chairman Muzaffer Turgut Kayhan assessed the 2026 cotton season…
Pointing out that the cotton cultivation area, which stood at approximately 410,000 hectares last year, has fallen to 281,000 hectares this season, Kayhan said, “The primary cause of this decline is rising production costs.”
Highlighting that costs for diesel, fertiliser, irrigation and other inputs were putting pressure on producers, he noted, “The contraction in production area was negatively affecting not only farmers but the entire cotton value chain, from ginning plants to the textile industry.”
Underlining that the future of cotton depends on sustainable production practices, Kayhan stated, “Initiatives carried out under the BCI framework have improved water efficiency, reduced environmental impact and contributed to lowering production costs.”
Explaining that regenerative farming practices would become more widespread in the coming period under BCI standards, Kayhan concluded, “These methods would provide producers with significant savings in the use of diesel, fertiliser and pesticides. Furthermore, the empowerment of producers and proper co-operative organisation are of critical importance for the sustainability of cotton production.”
