Economic analysis of tea production: The case of Kalkanderedistrict of Rize

All of the tea production has made in Turkey's Black Sea region's provinces such as Rize, Trabzon, Giresun, Artvin, and Ordu.In 2008, 80.68% of the total tea production in Turkey is produced in Rize. For this reason, Kalkandere, one of the districts of Rize, was chosen for the research area. The aim of this study is to examine the status of tea, which is the most important agricultural plant of the region, which constitutes 93.2% of all agricultural areas of Rize, in Kalkandere district selected as research area, and to reveal production and tea garden facility costs. The data required for the research was obtained through face-to-face surveys with 123 producers performing tea production in Kalkandere district. Turkey is located in 6 th place in the world tea production in 2017. In the study, total tea garden facility cost was determined as 15.741,19 ₺/decares at the end of the three year facility period. Average gross production value of the enterprises was determined as 3,443,32 ₺/decares, gross profit was -370,24 ₺/decares and net profit was -1,693 ₺/da. It was concluded that tea production activity is not a profitable branch in most of the enterprises. A factory should be built in the region that will provide employment and produce products such as tea from raw materials. In tea harvesting, the purchase of tea harvesters should be encouraged and supported by the government to reduce the time and costs spent. The research of stevia plant, which can be an alternative to tea, should be completed and producers should be encouraged to produce. The private sector should prevent the purchase of tea at low prices by enacting the law. Key Words: Tea, Economic Analysis, Turkey's Tea Production, Tea Garden Establishment