Climate change has extended Türkiye’s tea harvest into December, marking a shift in the country’s agricultural season.
Türkiye’s tea harvest has been reshaped by climate change, with farmers in the Eastern Black Sea region now picking fresh tea into December. Warmer temperatures are extending the harvest season and redefining the country’s agricultural calendar.
For the first time in Türkiye’s history, the tea harvest in the Eastern Black Sea region has been extended into December. This shift is a direct result of rising temperatures and climate change.
The *Hurriyet Daily News* reported that warmer-than-usual seasonal temperatures have prolonged the harvest period. Farmers are now collecting fresh tea in four pluckings, instead of the usual three.
Tea production is thriving in the provinces of Rize, Trabzon, Artvin, and Giresun, where nearly one million families cultivate tea across 830,000 hectares of land. In Rize, known as Türkiye’s "capital of tea," high-quality harvests are still underway, a trend attributed to the warm weather and the ongoing climate crisis.
Rize accounts for 65.6% of Türkiye’s dry tea production. In previous years, the tea harvest would typically conclude by October.
A 2023 report from Türkiye’s Food Engineers Chamber highlighted the country’s position in the global tea industry: 7th in cultivation area, 5th in dry tea production, and 4th in per capita annual tea consumption.
This unprecedented extension of the harvest season underscores the growing impact of climate change on agriculture. It presents both challenges and opportunities for Türkiye’s tea industry.
Read next
06:08
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed on Wednesday that it will not establish diplomatic ties with Israel unless a Palestinian state is created. The statement follows remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that Riyadh was not making such a demand.
05:31
U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the United States will take over the Gaza Strip, dismantle unexploded ordnance, and lead economic redevelopment in the area.
03:20
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, the first foreign leader to visit since Trump’s re-election. Talks focused on a potential Israel-Saudi normalization deal, the Gaza war, and the ongoing hostage negotiations.
03:01
The FireAid benefit concerts have raised over $100 million for wildfire relief in Los Angeles, with more than 50 million viewers tuning in across 28 platforms. The event, featuring Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Stevie Nicks, aims to support both immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery.
02:57
Uganda has reinforced its military presence in eastern Congo, deploying 1,000–2,000 additional troops near the M23 conflict zone. The move raises concerns over a regional escalation, as Uganda and Rwanda both have forces operating in the area amid growing instability.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment