Main opposition CHP launches march to Giresun to protest low hazelnut prices

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) on Sept. 18 kicked off a march from the Black Sea province of Ordu to the neighboring Giresun in a bid to protest the purchase price for hazelnuts in the new season, which had been announced as 10 Turkish Liras. 

Around 3,000 people gathered in front of the Ordu Municipality ahead of the three-day march with the motto "We are marching for hazelnut," with the participation of CHP deputy head and Ordu deputy Seyit Tosun, CHP group deputy leader Özgür Özel, Giresun Mayor Kerim Aksu as well as other party figures and hazelnut producers. 

Speaking to reporters ahead of the 47-kilometer march to Giresun, Tosun said hazelnut producers were the victims of low prices, which had been announced by the agriculture minister with the cost of 8.75 liras, and they had to sell their hazelnuts starting from 7.5 liras. 

"Our producers cannot get their money's worth. Unfortunately, they cannot even clear their debts right now with the product, to which they put efforts for a year, and they cannot send their children to schools," Tosun said, expressing his anticipation that producers would eventually lay claim over their products despite pressure and silencing by the authorities.

He added that party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu would also join the final day of the march and later hold a rally in Giresun on Sept. 20.

Özel, meanwhile, noted that the problems of hazelnut producers began being echoed through the government sides when they addressed those problems loudly.

He said the party and politics in the country had a responsibility to stand with those who had problems without making any discrimination.

Food, Agriculture, and Livestock Minister Ahmet Eşref Fakıbaba had earlier...

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