Natural disasters hit farmland in 70 provinces of Türkiye in 2026

Natural disasters including floods, hail, storms and frost damaged nearly 900,000 hectares of agricultural land across Türkiye in the first six months of 2026, affecting producers in over 70 provinces, according to Şemsi Bayraktar, head of the Union of Turkish Chambers of Agriculture.

Floods and flash floods accounted for almost half the damaged area, with frost affecting 22 provinces, excessive rainfall and hail each hitting 14 provinces, and storms, heavy snowfall, landslides and tornadoes causing additional losses. Bayraktar cited U.N. data showing global agricultural disaster costs have risen from $64 billion annually in the 1990s to $144 billion in recent years, warning the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather threaten food supply and rural economies.