Türk-İş announces hunger and poverty thresholds

Türk-İş has announced the hunger and poverty thresholds for December. Accordingly, the monthly food expenditure amount (hunger threshold) required for a family of four living in Ankara to have a healthy, balanced, and adequate diet rose to 14,431 TL in December. 

The total amount of monthly expenditures required for food, as well as clothing, housing (rent, electricity, water, fuel), transportation, education, health, and similar needs (poverty threshold), reached 47,009.38 TL in December.

The monthly 'cost of living' for a single worker rose to 18,796.36 TL in December.

KITCHEN INFLATION AT 77.5 PERCENT

The increase in the minimum expenditure amount that a family of four living in Ankara must spend "for food" was 2.89 percent compared to the previous month, 77.50 percent compared to the same month of the previous year, and 82.21 percent according to twelve-month averages.

According to the prices compiled directly from the market, which form the basis of the Türk-İş calculation, the changes observed in food products as of December 2023 by expenditure group were as follows:

* Cheese prices (white cheese prices are used in the calculation) appeared on market shelves this month at an average of 190 TL per kilogram. Milk and yogurt prices maintained similar levels to last month.

* A significant increase was seen in meat prices this month. The price of ground beef increased by 46 TL compared to the previous month, reaching an average of 377 TL in markets, while the price of cubed beef increased by 37 TL compared to the previous month, reaching an average of 393 TL in markets. Meat prices have more than doubled compared to December of last year.

* Egg prices increased by 17 percent in December compared to the previous month, selling at an average of 4.45 TL per unit. The price of a whole chicken was 72 TL per kg on average in markets.

* Due to the increased variety of fish during these winter days, the most popular sea fish at the stalls were sold at an average of 175 TL/kg this month.

* Legumes and oilseed products maintained their levels from last month. In December, the price of dried beans was 92 TL per kilogram, while oilseeds (walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds, etc.), which are most anticipated for New Year's tables, were on market shelves at an average price of 336 TL per kilogram.

* The price of 200 grams of bread in Ankara continued to be sold at 7 TL. The monthly bread expense alone for a family of 4 is 735 TL.

* In the grains group, there was a limited price increase compared to the previous month. The highest increase in this group was seen in bulgur at 5 percent. 

* An increase in average vegetable prices was observed this month. The highest increases compared to the previous month were in the prices of tomatoes, potatoes, village peppers, and green peppers.

* While the prices of spinach, leeks, broccoli, and celery remained at last month's levels at the stalls, a partial decrease was observed in cabbage prices.

* On fruit stalls, while orange and mandarin prices fell due to the season, there was an increase in banana prices.

* The lowest-priced fruit this month was grapefruit. Grapefruit was on the stalls at an average price of 12.5 TL per kg.

* The average vegetable price was 32.23 TL per kg, and the average fruit price was 31.64 TL per kg. The calculation this month took into account price changes in a total of 32 products, 24 of which were vegetables and 8 of which were fruits. The average fruit-vegetable price was determined to be 30.32 TL per kg.

* Due to the drought in Europe, the producer's rising costs, and external demand, high increases in olive oil prices had been observed in recent months.

Although there was no increase in olive oil prices this month, olive oil continued to be sold in markets at an average of 300 TL per liter.

* In December, no significant change was observed in olive prices, just as in olive oil.

* While the prices of tomato paste, jam, linden, and sugar in this group maintained their levels from last month, the price of honey increased by 16 TL and was sold in markets at an average of 293 TL.