President of Istanbul Commodity Exchange Ali Kopuz stated that they have heard from the members of ISTIB and the sector that the pressure was applied to TMO to start selling hazelnuts at a low price, “The primary duty of TMO is to regulate the market and it has been fulfilling this duty in recent years. It is wrong to see this strategic institution as an exporter's warehouse. "If there was a shortage of nuts in the market, the amount of exports would not increase compared to the previous years” said.

President Ali Kopuz reminded that hazelnut is one of Turkey's most important agricultural products, " We need to determine the price of a product that we are the undisputed world leader, and benefit from its added value. However, since we sell raw, we get the least profit from hazelnut. While this fact stands in the middle, such a step that will decrease the value of the raw hazelnut will both be disrespectful for the labor of the producer and will cause damage to the TMO”said.

ISTIB President Ali Kopuz reminded that TMO did not sell hazelnuts but ultimately profit after all with the warnings made last year, “If TMO sold hazelnuts on time, it would prevent both damages and provides sufficient financing for the hazelnut purchases to be made in the next season, of course, it is also very important that the national wealth is not wasted. While making the sales decision of TMO, I believe that it will continue to perform its market regulatory duty, without being under pressure, by considering the supply and demand balance related to hazelnuts. Thus, TMO will make you feel its power in the market”said.

Expressing that the satisfaction of the producer should be the most important criterion while TMO fulfills the duty of balance between the producer and the industrialist, President Kopuz said, “TMO is under pressure to sell hazelnuts at a cheap price. TMO introduced the product to the market last year considering the market conditions, and announced the base price of the 2018 crop above expectations, making the manufacturer's face smile. He used his income in 2019 hazelnut purchase. At the point we have reached, it is seen that the price, which is claimed to be high by TMO, is real prices. While selling the product in its hand this year, TMO should not sell below the market prices and should not let the price of the product left by the manufacturer fall.”said.