Increased by over 100 percent in the last year: Allegations regarding foreign brands in water price hikes
While the increase in drinking water prices has exceeded 100 percent in the last year, it has been claimed that this rise is linked to foreign water brands failing to comply with the established sales tariff and manipulating the market.
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Ahmet Turan Akkaya, President of the Istanbul Water and Beverage Sellers Tradesmen Chamber, stated that foreign brands are selling at prices they determine themselves, without following the price tariff accepted across the country.
19-LITER CARBOY PRICE ROSE TO 140 TL IN ISTANBUL
According to a report in the Türkiye newspaper, known for its proximity to the government, the prices of carboy and packaged water have been hiked twice in the last six months. For instance, the price of a 19-liter carboy of water in Istanbul has risen to as much as 140 liras in some regions.
Drawing attention to water brands owned by foreign entities operating in Bursa and Sakarya, Akkaya said, "There is a distinction among water sellers; those selling from Istanbul's own water sources comply with the current tariff, but foreign brands coming from outside, such as from places like Bursa and Sakarya, do not follow the tariff."
Stating that the 100 percent increase in drinking water prices over the last year is unacceptable, Mehmet Bülent Deniz, President of the Consumer Union Federation, said, "Market conditions do not necessitate these hikes. Operating expenses could not have increased this much in the last year. An investigation must be conducted, and the justifications for the price increases must be questioned."
Deniz demanded that the Ministry of Trade conduct inspections on this matter and impose penal sanctions if necessary.