2.5 billion TL loss at Tarım Kredi Markets, which Erdoğan ordered to 'open branches'! 1,200 workers to be laid off

In Turkey, where the economic crisis is deepening by the day, news of losses and layoffs has begun to emerge from public companies supported and advertised by the government. One of these companies is the Tarım Kredi Cooperative Markets, which AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan previously supported by shopping there and calling for them to “increase the number of branches.”

2.5 BILLION TL LOSS IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS

According to Tarimdanhaber.com, Tarım Kredi Markets incurred a loss exceeding 2.5 billion TL in the first six months of 2025. It is known that despite the market chain selling products at prices similar to other chain markets, it is frequently highlighted in the public eye through “discount campaigns.”

1,200 PEOPLE TO BE LAID OFF

However, this loss has resulted in the dismissal of approximately 1,200 people, ranging from store personnel to subsidiary employees. Furthermore, it is alleged that a similar cost-cutting operation has been initiated in other subsidiaries of Tarım Kredi.

MANAGEMENT FILLED WITH AKP OFFICIALS

While the layoffs have been met with public backlash, the high salaries received by some individuals working at Tarım Kredi Markets have drawn attention. The company's general management includes Hüseyin Aydın, who previously served in public institutions such as the Wealth Fund, Ziraat Bank, and Turkcell. The senior management staff of the Tarım Kredi Cooperatives is filled with former AKP deputies, parliamentary candidates, and individuals who have held positions within the party. These names include Adem Darımla, İsmail Can, Fikret Oy, Zeynep Müjde Sakar, Hasan Fehmi Kinay, and Kazım Erten. It is stated that these managers are paid a monthly salary of over 100,000 TL, in addition to a 70,000 TL attendance fee.

MARKET LOSSES BEING COVERED WITH FARMERS' MONEY

One of the most striking points is that the billions of liras in losses incurred are being covered by the Tarım Kredi Cooperatives Central Union. This means that resources that should actually be used by farmers for production are being spent to compensate for market losses. In other words, the system established to support farmers is placing a burden on their backs.

Farmers' access to financing is also becoming increasingly difficult. According to allegations, while farmers could obtain a 25,000 TL loan in 2020 with just a signature and a guarantor, they cannot access a 200,000 TL loan today even when providing vehicle collateral. Despite rising inflation and drought conditions, it is stated that Tarım Kredi's credit policies are putting farmers in an even more difficult position.

Furthermore, farmers point out that the Treasury interest rate subsidy applied to the first 300,000 TL of loans used from Tarım Kredi has not been increased for the last 3 years. While inflation rates exceed 100 percent, the fact that this support provided to farmers remains stagnant draws the reaction of producers. Farmers are calling on the management, asking, “Why is the General Manager not taking a step on this issue?”