A possible reduction in Turkey's corn fields may increase as producers will not be able to get sufficient revenue for their yield this year, according to Nur Özkan, chairwoman of the Adana Crop Producers Union.

Farmers in Çukurova, a region in southern Turkey that has the country's most important corn production fields, are waiting for harvest time with an increasing worry due to the decreasing prices of last year.

"White meat producers are complaining about high prices in corn, which is not correct. To find today's prices in corn will be more difficult as the corn producer cannot get sufficient return. The contraction in corn fields may increase," said Özkan.

Corn production revenue last year was not able to meet the costs. For this reason, corn cultivation areas will probably decrease. "The contraction is estimated to be at around the 15% level. According to our talks with farmers, the contraction will continue during the aftercrop this year," Özkan said.

There is great difference between domestic corn and imported corn in terms of quality. "But despite this important point, we equate these two kinds of corn by comparing their prices," she adds.

Input costs are very high in corn, Özkan said. Besides seeds and fuel prices, farmers are using between 110 kilogrammes and 130 kilogrammes of fertilizer per decare. "Turkey is able to supply its corn demand with around five million tonnes of production. But, as the Adana Crop Producers Union, we are not very hopeful for the corn harvest that will begin by the beginning of August. This year is very important for us. If corn prices hit bottom, the contraction in fields will accelerate," Özkan said.

Corn production concerns nearly 100,000 farmers and 500,000 people all over Turkey. Farmers experiencing disappointment due to prices might orient toward cotton and soy.