Red meat prices have risen by 10 percent in the last month: Measures are being taken against opportunism

Audits targeting the red meat sector have not been limited to price increases alone. The Ministry of Treasury and Finance revealed during inspections at the facilities of 4 major producers in 7 provinces that the firms had left a total of 3 billion TL in earnings off the books.

Officials stated that strict measures will be taken against tax evasion and that heavy sanctions will be applied to firms that generate unfair profits.

PRICES FIXED

Against the rising prices ahead of Ramadan, some local markets in Istanbul have decided to fix red meat prices.

Ground beef: 379 TL

Beef cubes: 399 TL

This price-fixing decision was taken by the Istanbul Food and Consumer Goods Retailers Association (PERDER) and has begun to be implemented in 1,500 branches of 30 member businesses.

However, price increases continue at butchers and other retailers. Despite the prices set by the markets, some sellers are engaging in opportunism by secretly increasing meat prices.

SILENT HIKE IN MEAT PRICES: 10 PERCENT INCREASE IN 1 MONTH

Speaking to Milliyet, Consumer Confederation (TÜKONFED) Deputy Chairman Lawyer İbrahim Güllü evaluated the activity in red meat prices with the following words:

"Opportunists have raised meat prices ahead of Ramadan by making small, incremental price increases. In the last month, the price of beef carcass has risen from 400 TL to 430-435 TL, and the price of lamb carcass has risen from 550 TL to 580-585 TL. Wholesale sellers have realized an increase of over 10 percent in total by gradually raising the prices they apply to retailers."

Güllü also alleged that some markets are selling meat they obtained cheaply from the Meat and Milk Board (ESK) to luxury restaurants and butchers, thereby obtaining unfair profits.

News Source: 12punto