CHP's Gürer reacts to Meat and Milk Board price hike

The 25 percent price hike implemented by the Meat and Milk Board (ESK) on meat products went into effect as of yesterday morning. CHP Niğde Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer opposed this hike, emphasizing that there is an imbalance when compared to the 8.5 percent increase granted to milk producers, and demanded that the price hikes be rescinded.

According to a report by Gazete Duvar, Gürer stated that low-income citizens are forced to form queues in front of the Meat and Milk Board early in the morning to buy meat, and that this price hike makes the situation even more difficult.

Gürer stated the following:

“Retirees and low-income people were queuing in front of the institution early in the morning at the Meat and Milk Board's sales prices; this way, they were able to buy half a kilo or a kilo of meat for their homes. However, a 25 percent hike was applied to these meat prices. In 2022, the general manager of the time had stated that they increased prices to eliminate the queues. The Meat and Milk Board is a public institution whose primary duty is to balance the market and provide subsidies; however, according to Court of Accounts reports, because they lack foreseeable and planned projects, they sell products behind market rates and cannot meet demand. The failure to meet demand, the limited supply of products to the market, and the demand for more affordable prices increase the pressure. Since the beginning of the year, meat prices have exceeded 101 TL per kilogram for beef and 117 TL for mutton at slaughterhouses alone. This situation cannot be prevented. Imports are not a solution either, because they cannot be properly audited in terms of market data and control. This situation causes meat prices to rise.

Furthermore, the constant increase in feed prices and rising barn expenses have a negative impact on livestock assets. The decrease in livestock assets due to animals being sent for early slaughter also makes the availability of animals for slaughter problematic. The decline in livestock assets also causes meat and milk prices to rise. Compared to the 8.5 percent hike in milk prices implemented by the National Milk Council (which is under government control) as of May 1, the Meat and Milk Board's 25 percent price increase is wrong, and this hike must be rescinded. This process should be subsidized for retirees and low-income people; thus, the access of retirees and low-income people to meat should not be hindered. If the process is not managed correctly, the problems of the Meat and Milk Board will increase. Data indicates that the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) points to a decrease in milk production. A drop in milk production will lead to an increase in the prices of milk and dairy products. With the right support and planning, it is possible to overcome this process. Nothing is being done other than preventing retirees and low-income people from accessing meat and dairy products through price hikes. This situation must be overcome as soon as possible with proper planning; this requires determining the correct livestock assets and managing the process correctly, so that low-income, fixed-income, and retired people can access meat and dairy products.”

News Source: 12punto