Wholesale Market Law coming to Parliament: 50 million TL fine for non-compliant supermarkets! Middlemen to be eliminated, penalties to increase...

The first concrete step has been taken for the Wholesale Market Law, which has been on the agenda for a long time. Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat announced that the new regulation, which aims to reduce intermediary costs in food prices, will be submitted to Parliament.

Minister Bolat stated that the draft is in its final stage, saying, “Various amendments have been made over the years to the current Wholesale Market Law, which entered into force in 2012. However, a comprehensive renewal was needed in line with the demands of the sector. With the new regulation, we aim to place the flow of products from producer to consumer on a more secure and healthy foundation.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DRAFT

According to the report by Türkiye Gazetesi, the highlights of the draft are as follows:

Support for producers: Producer unions will be allocated free space in wholesale markets, and state support will be provided for rent, transportation, and storage expenses.

Mandatory purchasing: Chain supermarkets meeting specified criteria will be required to source at least 20 percent of the fruits and vegetables they sell directly from producers. Those who fail to meet this requirement will face fines of up to 50 million TL annually.

Ban on middlemen: The transfer of products between commission agents within the same wholesale market will be prevented, and sanctions regarding price manipulation and hoarding will be tightened.

Increase in penalties: Administrative fines for practices that disrupt free competition will be increased from 177 thousand TL to 1 million TL.

Spoiled products: A fine of 200 thousand TL will be imposed on those who act in violation of the disposal process.

The new Wholesale Market Law regulation is expected to be brought to the agenda and enacted after the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) opens on October 1.

News Source: 12punto