sueddeutsche.de
Turkish Hazelnut Frost Cuts Harvest, Sending Prices Soaring
A severe April frost in Turkey reduced the hazelnut harvest by 36 percent, causing prices to surge by over one-third, impacting global food companies like Ritter Sport and Ferrero who source hazelnuts from Turkey, the world's leading producer.
- What is the impact of the reduced Turkish hazelnut harvest on global food prices and major food companies?
- A severe cold snap in Turkey, the world's leading hazelnut producer, has caused a 36 percent decrease in the harvest, leading to a more than one-third increase in hazelnut prices since the beginning of the year. This impacts major confectionery companies like Ritter Sport, Seeberger, and Ferrero, who rely heavily on Turkish hazelnuts for their products.
- How does the dependence of the global hazelnut market on Turkey contribute to price volatility and impact smaller producers?
- The price surge is particularly acute for companies already facing high cocoa prices, creating a double burden. The reliance on Turkish hazelnuts highlights the vulnerability of global food systems to extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, a phenomenon termed 'Climateflation'.
- What are the long-term implications of this event for the food industry, climate change adaptation, and global food security?
- The hazelnut shortage will likely lead to increased prices for hazelnut-based products and potentially drive innovation in product formulations, with companies seeking alternative ingredients like almonds. The long-term implications underscore the need for greater climate resilience in agriculture and diversification of supply chains to mitigate future disruptions.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing subtly prioritizes the concerns of German companies. While the impact on Turkish farmers is acknowledged, the majority of the article details the consequences for German chocolate and snack producers. The headline and opening sentences immediately establish the impact on German businesses and only later introduce the Turkish context. This could lead readers to focus more on the German perspective.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and factual. However, phrases like "massive (double) burden" (referring to the price increase for Ritter Sport) and descriptions of the hazelnut as "green gold" add some emotional coloring. These could be replaced with more neutral terms, such as "significant cost increase" and "economically important crop", respectively. The use of "ärgsten Agrarfröste" (worst agricultural frost) from the Turkish minister's statement is a direct quote and is not considered bias in this analysis.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the impact of the hazelnut shortage on German companies and largely omits the perspective of Turkish hazelnut farmers beyond a few quotes. While the economic hardship faced by farmers is mentioned, a deeper exploration of their situation, including the lack of insurance and reliance on hazelnut farming, would provide a more complete picture. The article also doesn't delve into potential governmental support systems in place or the broader societal impacts in Turkey.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights a significant drop in hazelnut harvest in Turkey due to frost, impacting global supply and leading to price increases. This directly affects food availability and affordability, potentially impacting food security, especially for vulnerable populations.