PRICES of various fruits and vegetables will continue to rise this autumn following a long period of drought, according to Chamber of Agricultural Engineers (ZMO) Antalya Branch President Vahap Tuncer.

According to Tuncer, the ongoing drought has resulted in a serious shortage of fruit and vegetable production in recent months.

Prices for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, green beans and potatoes in particular are predicted to continue to rise as agricultural producers are still reeling from the effects of the drought that began late last year.

Tuncer said the percentage of land able to be cultivated had declined by 25-30 percent in some provinces due to drought, adding that the quality of produce had also been compromised by the unusually dry weather.

He said potatoes in particular will increase in price throughout the winter. The prices of various fruits, vegetables and nuts have already risen drastically following low yields brought on by the adverse conditions.