Ramadan pita prices have been determined

Halil İbrahim Balcı, President of the Turkish Bakers Federation, made statements regarding pita prices ahead of the upcoming month of Ramadan during a press conference held at the Kocaeli Union of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen.

Balcı stated, "The maximum sale price for Ramadan pita, which was 60 liras per kilogram last year, will not be above 81 liras this year," while also addressing price increases in metropolitan areas. He noted that in Ankara, Istanbul, and Antalya, where a 250-gram pita was sold for 15 liras last year, it will be sold for 20 liras this year, while in Bursa and Kocaeli, a 370-gram pita will be sold for 30 liras, compared to the 330-gram version that was sold for 20 liras previously.

Stating that there has been an average price increase of 33% to 35% for pita this year, Balcı emphasized that while this increase may vary between 28% and 30% in some cities, there will be no increase exceeding 35% in any province.

Touching upon the production costs of pita, Balcı noted that there has been a 40% increase in flour prices, a 45% increase in labor costs, and a 40% increase in operating expenses. Despite this, he stated that the price increases have been kept below the inflation rate.

"We see that the 2024 inflation rate was around 45 percent. Therefore, the price increase applied to pita is below inflation." said Balcı, adding that reasonable pricing was implemented to protect the public's purchasing power. He also stated that bakers and relevant institutions are working devotedly to keep prices balanced throughout Ramadan.

Responding to a journalist's question about whether there would be a subsidy, Balcı said, "There were subsidies in previous years, but the treasury provided support for a certain period."

Balcı expressed that the need for support arises from time to time, as it did during the COVID-19 period, but that the primary solution is to keep input costs under control. Recalling that flour prices rose rapidly at one point, Balcı said, "As a result of our meetings with the relevant institutions and ministries, there is currently a stabilization," indicating that prices have settled at a certain level.

News Source: AA