Union of Chambers of Agriculture President Şemsi Bayraktar announced: 'Prices increased for 38 products in markets in the period before Ramadan'

President of the Union of Turkish Chambers of Agriculture (TZOB) Şemsi Bayraktar made evaluations regarding the price changes between producers and markets before Ramadan.

Bayraktar stated that they would monitor the difference between producer and market prices throughout Ramadan and added the following:

"When comparing last year to this year, there was a price increase in 38 products and a price decrease in one product in markets during the pre-Ramadan period. During this period, the highest price increase in markets was seen in dried figs at 195 percent. The price increase in dried figs was followed by olive oil at 171.5 percent, dried apricots at 149.3 percent, and pointed peppers at 148.2 percent. The only product with a price decrease in the market was dry onions at 11.6 percent."

Pointing out that there was a price increase in 27 products and a price decline in 4 products at the producer level during the same period, Bayraktar stated, "The highest price decrease at the producer level was seen in lemons at 38.2 percent. The price decrease in lemons was followed by dry onions at 34.8 percent, cucumbers at 7.3 percent, and zucchini at 3.4 percent. The highest price increase at the producer level was experienced in olive oil at 242.2 percent. The price increase in olive oil was followed by lettuce at 199.1 percent, apples at 186 percent, and cauliflower at 178.3 percent."

Drawing attention to the fact that the most important reason for the increase in producer prices is the increases seen in inputs and labor, Bayraktar emphasized that logistics, storage, and low production also affect the increases in prices.

INCREASES IN MEAT PRICES

Bayraktar made the following assessment regarding the recent increase in meat prices:

"We are all paying the price today for the slaughter of breeding animals as a result of milk prices remaining low in the past. While 1.4 billion dollars worth of live animals and meat were imported in 2023, imports are continuing at full speed this year as well. Despite the intensive imports, meat prices continue to rise. Compared to the pre-Ramadan period last year, the price of beef carcass increased by 83 percent and lamb carcass by 139 percent, while the price of beef cubes in markets increased by 94 percent and lamb cubes by 127.5 percent. The main reason for the increases in meat prices is the decrease in meat supply in parallel with the decrease in the number of animals. This situation also paves the way for speculative movements in the market."

DIFFERENT MARKET, SAME BRAND, DIFFERENT PRICE

Pointing out that the same brand products and meat products are sold at different prices between markets by citing costs as a reason, Bayraktar reported that variations of up to 69.5 percent in beef cubes, 40.2 percent in butter, 38.4 percent in lamb cubes, 23.3 percent in whole chicken, 8.4 percent in yogurt, and 25.2 percent in green lentils, 13.7 percent in rice, and 5.6 percent in chickpeas were detected in vegetable products.

Mentioning that markets run various campaigns during periods when shopping is intense, such as the month of Ramadan, Bayraktar evaluated, "Consumers turn to these markets due to price drops in a few campaign products. When they buy all their needs from this market, they buy the campaign products cheaply, but they end up buying other products at a high price. Our consumers should take into account the changing prices between markets and do price research before their shopping."

News Source: 12punto