They are asking for 1500 TL for a 3-kilo turkey

With the cooling of the weather, citizens' demand for offal, especially liver, which is known as a blood bank, has increased. Osman Yardımcı, President of the Turkish Federation of Butchers, Breeders, Meat and Meat Products Tradesmen and Craftsmen, stated that offal prices have increased by nearly 200 percent compared to last year. Providing information about the livestock presence in Turkey, Osman Yardımcı, President of the Turkish Federation of Butchers, Breeders, Meat and Meat Products Tradesmen and Craftsmen, said, "According to the TUIK statement, we have between 55-60 million small ruminants and 17-18 million cattle. We do not have a problem with livestock presence. Provocateurs appear every year during New Year's and holidays and say there are no animals. Animal husbandry has passed into the hands of large companies, and 70 percent of small producers have stopped production. Once they stopped, it passed into the hands of large companies, and they set prices as they wish. We look and see one price on Monday, a price on Wednesday, and a price on Friday. There is no such thing as a price like this. There is nothing left for the small producer and the tradesman. There are those who have 15-20 thousand animals; they have made a fortune. Our producer has one farm, while they have 10 farms. The state should bring animals and give them to small businesses," he stated.

"In Antalya, we are buying the lamb we bought for 250 TL a week ago for 290 TL"
Stating that there is a perception as if meat determines Turkey's agenda, Yardımcı said, "The basic food item that has received the least price hike is meat. This market should not be left in the hands of 6-7 people. If there is a quota, you will lift the quota; you will give it to small businesses first. Our state will not allow this opportunism. Despite everything, we continue to do our profession. There are those who open 50 companies in the name of their relatives and buy animals on their behalf. The price of lamb varies from province to province. Every place has its own expenses. In Antalya, we are buying the lamb we bought for 250 TL a week ago for 290 TL. There are also those who buy it for 300 TL. The market has stabilized for 2-3 days; those large companies bought what they wanted. When the state tells them to slaughter their goods, they say they have no animals," he stated.

"Today, when we look at the market, they are asking for 1,500 TL for 3 kilos of turkey"
Stating that the demand for turkey has increased for New Year's Eve, President Yardımcı said, "Currently, when we compare it to meat, turkey is more expensive. Let them buy and eat meat; there is no law that says turkey must be bought and consumed. We don't buy it, let them buy chicken. The citizen has made up their mind once; today, when we look at the market, they are asking for 1,500 TL for 3 kilos of turkey. When we say 400-420 TL for meat, it seems expensive. This is not right, this is also a sin. Instead of this, they can also consume meat. Those who raise turkeys are also our tradesmen; they will also earn money once a year. Let them not be opportunistic; let there not be opportunism for one day of the year," he said.

"They told us yesterday that the arrival price of lamb liver was 450 TL"
Stating that the demand for liver has increased due to the cold weather, Yardımcı said, "Animal slaughter has decreased, and our citizens consume more liver in winter. Currently, offal prices have hit the ceiling. Compared to last year, there has been a 150 to nearly 200 percent hike in offal. Lamb liver is competing with ground meat. They told us yesterday that the arrival price of lamb liver was 450 TL. We did not buy it; we bought beef liver. Prices will improve after the New Year. It goes up like this for 2-3 months, then it goes down. Now there is a liver shop on every corner, and they are buying it too. Restaurants tell us to collect and send as much liver as you have, we cannot keep up with ourselves. There is no liver in my shop until Thursday. The reason why liver is consumed more in winter is because it is a blood bank. Lamb liver can be sold starting from 400 TL up to 450 TL. I saw a price of 490 TL in markets. One reason why prices are so high is chain markets. In our country, chain markets sell very different things. Meat should not be sold in chain markets," he said.
Yardımcı stated that tripe is sold for 120 TL and red meat for 420 TL. Pointing out that chicken prices have increased 3 times compared to last year, Yardımcı said it is 75 TL and requested that the chicken butchering work be given to them.