'Red meat' prices are being fixed in Istanbul! How much is it at which market?
Local markets in Istanbul have decided to fix meat prices ahead of the month of Ramadan, and will sell meat procured from the Meat and Milk Board (ESK) at set prices. As the implementation began as of January 28, citizens who will purchase meat at fixed prices will be able to shop at more affordable rates. So, how much are red meat prices? Will red meat prices fall?
12punto
Ahead of the month of Ramadan, markets that are members of the Istanbul Food and Consumer Goods Retailers Association (PERDER) have decided to keep red meat prices fixed. Meat supplied by the Meat and Milk Board will be sold at the determined prices. The practice, which will continue throughout the month of Ramadan starting on March 1, went into effect as of January 28.
This price-fixing decision will be valid not only in Istanbul but also in 18 PERDER-member markets in Ankara.
IN HOW MANY MARKETS HAVE MEAT PRICES BEEN FIXED?
PERDER Chairman of the Board Faruk Güzeldere provided the following information in his statement:
“It will be valid in our 30 members and 1,500 branches. It will also be implemented in Ankara.”
This decision will enable citizens to shop at more affordable prices in the face of rising meat costs.
WHAT ARE THE MEAT PRICES IN 2025?
The fixed meat prices announced by PERDER are as follows:
Ground beef: 379 TL
Diced beef: 399 TL
Topside (Tranç): 459 TL
Striploin and steak: 649 TL
Ribeye and veal chops: 699 TL
Emphasizing the importance of the price-fixing practice, Güzeldere stated, “We will meet with our consumers at bountiful tables. We wish a blessed Ramadan to our entire country.”
WILL CHAIN MARKETS ALSO FIX PRICES?
This move by local markets that are members of PERDER has raised the question of whether chain markets will take a similar step. There is curiosity about whether similar price-fixing practices will be implemented for basic food and essential products as well.
In this process, the Meat and Milk Board's resumption of supplying cheap meat stands out as one of the most important factors putting pressure on prices.
Consumer Confederation (TÜKONFED) President Aydın Ağaoğlu evaluated how the price-fixing step would affect the market in his statement to Milliyet:
“In previous years, the Meat and Milk Board provided cheap meat supplies to local market chains before Ramadan. Such practices play a balancing role in the market.”
The fixed prices determined by the Meat and Milk Board will be valid for meat products offered for sale in 1,500 markets.
HOW WILL THE PRICE-FIXING DECISION AFFECT THE MEAT MARKET?
This decision is expected to have a wide-ranging impact, from the wholesale market to local butchers. Ağaoğlu explained the effect of this situation on prices with the following words:
“When a butcher sees that diced beef is being sold for 400 TL in the market while they are selling it for 800 TL, they will say, ‘I cannot sell it,’ and will buy less from the wholesaler. When the wholesaler sees that it is not selling, they will lower the prices. A chain reaction of price drops may occur.”
Stating that the state intervenes in the market from time to time using the import card to prevent uncontrolled price increases, Ağaoğlu said that otherwise, ground beef prices could exceed 800 TL and diced beef prices could exceed 900 TL.
HOW MUCH HAVE MEAT PRICES INCREASED IN THE LAST 1 YEAR?
The increase in meat prices over the last year is remarkable. According to Ağaoğlu's statements:
In 2023, ground beef was at the 400-450 TL level.
It is currently in the 550-600 TL band.
Diced beef has risen to the 650-700 TL level.
The interventions of the Meat and Milk Board are of great importance in order to keep price increases under control and offer more affordable products to the consumer.