New tariff for water prices in Istanbul: Ministry intervenes
In Istanbul, the price of 19-liter carboy water has risen by more than 50 percent in 8 months, reaching up to 140 TL. At the request of the Ministry of Trade, the tradesmen's chamber consisting of water sellers in Istanbul issued a tariff. Water producers stated, "We are not obliged to comply."
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Price hikes on drinking water, one of the most basic consumer goods, show no signs of stopping. In Istanbul, the price of 19-liter carboy water, which started the year 2024 in the range of 70-80 TL on average, has increased by more than 50 percent in the 8 months that have passed, rising to between 105-140 TL.
The Ministry of Trade, which previously rejected price hike requests from bread and simit producers to balance market prices, has now intervened in water prices through chambers. At the request of the Ministry, the tradesmen's chamber consisting of water sellers in Istanbul issued a tariff. According to the tariff, a price of 90 TL was set for 19-liter carboy water and 4.5 TL for 0.5-liter plastic bottled water.
'WE ARE NOT OBLIGED TO COMPLY WITH TARIFFS'
According to the report in Cumhuriyet, Yaşabey Kalebaşı, President of the Packaged Water Producers Association, to which branded water producers are members, stated that water producers are not members of tradesmen's chambers and therefore are not obliged to comply with the tariffs set by these chambers.
Stating that member companies of the association keep their prices at minimum levels as far as costs allow, Kalebaşı said, "However, the price increases experienced in all products recently have unfortunately been reflected in packaged water due to rising production, transportation, and service costs. Logistics costs can vary greatly depending on the distance of each company's production or sales points to the consumer."
'EVERYONE IS OBLIGED TO COMPLY WITH THESE PRICES'
Ahmet Turan Kaya, the president of the tradesmen's chamber that published the tariff, stated that the tariff was approved by the governorship, the metropolitan municipality, and the Ministry of Trade, and continued his words as follows:
"There cannot be dual authority; everyone, whether they are a chamber member or not, is obliged to comply with these prices. We met with the metropolitan mayor, and letters were also written to district municipalities. Municipal police have started price inspections. Consumers can also report those who do not comply with the tariff to the ministry. Transportation costs do not create price differences. A cola is the same price in Erzurum as it is in Istanbul. Why does water show price differences?"