2023 price increase report from TÖK-AR: 527 percent hike for onions, 318 percent for olive oil

Fuat Engin, Chairman of the Confederation of Consumer Organizations (TÖK), stated in his announcement evaluating the results of the TÖK-AR research on 2023 basic food prices that price increases for 23 basic food items, tracked monthly from five chain markets, continue, and that in the face of this situation, consumers are experiencing increasing difficulties in accessing basic food items.

Excessive price increases, especially in fuel and basic food products, cannot be stopped. In the research published by the TÖK Research Center (TÖK-AR), it revealed the price increases in Basic Food Items between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. According to the research, the price of onions increased by 527%, the price of a kilo of kashar cheese by 346%, and the price of a liter of olive oil by 318%.

The Confederation of Consumer Organizations (TÖK) issued a statement drawing attention to the increases in prices. Emphasizing that price increases are now out of control, TÖK's statement said, "exorbitant hikes have now consumed the consumer." The statement is as follows:

“To the Press and the Public;                    

We Continue to Be Depleted Because We Can No Longer Consume!..      

The price increases experienced in our country, especially in the last two years, have become uncontrollable.

The negative effects of all exorbitant hikes, especially on fuel products, on all production and consumption processes are known. Furthermore, in addition to the increases in production inputs, the exorbitant hikes made by opportunists have now CONSUMED the consumer.

Especially the hikes made on fuel products are reflected in prices every time, and since the discounts made on fuel products are not reflected in product prices as discounts, and because the prices of all products are increased due to renewed price hikes, price increases are now out of control. The transformation of hikes reflected in every area of life into an uncontrolled form for all consumer goods, from needles to thread, has caused the consumer's life to be turned upside down. 

The reflection of all these negative developments currently being experienced on housing rent and sales prices has also created a significant housing problem, and this situation is putting a great strain on consumers.  

While the 58.46% increase resulting from revaluation is reflected in the consumer's life (Passport, driver's license, ID card fees, duties, fines, taxes, etc.), the 49.25% increase to be made to the minimum wage of 17,002 TL, which a large part of the country's population receives, and the salaries of civil servants and retirees, alongside the announced inflation rate of 37.56% for retiree salary increases, reveals the situation of the consumer in the face of both price increases and revaluation rates. Consumers now spend most of their time in queues in front of public bread kiosks and Meat and Milk Institution stores. 

Consumers are lost in a spiral of rent + nutrition + bills. It is no longer possible to carry out social activities such as culture, art, travel, etc., which are indispensable for social life.

Just as the inflation rates announced by TURKSTAT do not reflect the reality, salary increases made by taking these rates into account serve no purpose other than to exacerbate the problems experienced.

It is unacceptable that the announced minimum wage and the salaries of millions of retirees remain below the hunger threshold. The inflation rates announced by TURKSTAT have created/are creating a significant trust problem for consumers.

The results of the study conducted by the Confederation of Consumer Organizations Research Center (TÖK-AR) show that the exorbitant price increases, especially in the last two years, continue to gain momentum and are destroying the consumer's purchasing power. Our concerns regarding the future of society continue at an increasing rate.

As in previous years, we see in 2023 that the prices of 23 types of basic consumer goods, which we recorded monthly in 5 chain markets, continue to increase in an immoderate manner, that in the face of this situation, the consumer can no longer access basic food items, and that the price increases experienced in 2022 and 2023 are an indicator that they continue with an unabated and increasing speed.

                TÖK Research Center (TÖK-AR)

    January 01/December 31-2023 Basic Food Items Research  

When we look at the 2023 price increases of basic food items, which are indispensable for the consumer, it is seen that the champions of price hikes are Olive Oil 193%, Kashar cheese 119%, Sausage 84%, Milk 107%, Tea 100%, Butter 84%, Rice 51%, Lentils 100%, Dry beans 69%, Bulgur 60%, White Cheese 65%, Ground Meat 126%, Cubed Meat 143%, Water 89%, Bread 60%, and other basic products on the list have continued/continue to increase at various rates. 

On the other hand, when we evaluate the total price increases of 2022 and 2023 together, the fact that Kashar cheese increased by 346%, White Cheese by 279%, Milk by 284%, Olive Oil by 318%, Water by 260%, Ground Meat by 233%, Cubed Meat by 226%, Eggs by 234%, Pasta by 170%, and Bread by 160% reveals the frightening picture of price increases in the face of the increase in the consumer's income.

Instead of supporting local producers who produce in the face of high increases in input prices related to agricultural and animal production, which are among the most important causes of food inflation, following a policy based on imports has caused the problem to grow, and it is also the case that opportunists have turned this situation into unfair gain. 

According to the results of the TÜRK-İŞ Research for December 2023;

The amount of monthly food expenditure (hunger threshold) that a family of four must make in order to be able to eat a healthy, balanced, and sufficient diet has risen to 14,431 TL,

The total amount of monthly expenditures that must be made for clothing, housing (rent, electricity, water, fuel), transportation, education, health, and similar needs, along with food expenditures (poverty threshold), has risen to 47,009 TL,

It has been observed that the 'cost of living' for a single worker has also risen to 18,796 TL per month.

In the face of these emerging realities, it does not seem possible for the consumer to meet their basic needs, especially mandatory expenses such as Food items + Rent + Bills, and to have a purchasing power that allows for a humane life.

We say it once again, as a requirement of being a social state of law, taking measures regarding nutrition, housing, heating, and lighting related to the rights of consumers to meet their basic needs, to protect their economic interests, and to compensate for their damages, as per Article 172 of the Constitution and Universal Consumer Rights, is one of the most fundamental requirements of being a social state, and at the same time, it must be one of the most fundamental duties of those who govern the country.

As consumers, we are now at the point where words end. The tyranny of price hikes must be ended without delay. 

As TÖK, we once again warn those who add cold water to the bread and food of the consumer regarding basic needs and those who turn a blind eye to this! END THE TYRANNY OF PRICE HIKES!.."

News Source: 12punto