Trade Ministry Investigates Alleged Price Gouging in Supermarkets Across Turkey
Ankara, Turkey, April 8, 2026 – The Turkish Ministry of Trade has initiated investigations into several supermarket chains in Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya, uncovering evidence of alleged unfair price increases on fruits and vegetables. These findings have been forwarded to the Unfair Price Evaluation Board for the application of necessary administrative sanctions.
Detailed Inspections Reveal Significant Price Discrepancies
According to a statement from the Ministry’s social media account, market surveillance and inspection activities conducted by the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Trade on April 6 revealed significant price discrepancies. Detailed examinations of price movements for fruits and vegetables in supermarket aisles, conducted through the Wholesale Market Registration System, highlighted several instances of alleged price gouging.
For instance, charleston peppers were reportedly purchased by a market for 42 lira and sold to consumers for 249.67 lira. Similarly, beets bought for 15 lira were offered to consumers at 79.95 lira. Stuffing peppers, acquired for 63.33 lira, were sold for 249.67 lira, and parsley purchased for 5 lira was priced at 19.95 lira for consumers.
These inspections led to the conclusion that excessive price increases were applied to numerous fruits and vegetables across a total of 94 branches belonging to 13 different supermarket chains.
Further Findings in Ankara and Other Cities
Subsequent inspections in Ankara on April 7, also focusing on fruit and vegetable price movements, uncovered similar patterns. Ginger, purchased by a market for 53.5 lira, was found to be sold to consumers for 196 lira. Red peppers bought for 75 lira were sold for 286.33 lira, and iceberg lettuce acquired for 35 lira was priced at 119.5 lira. Cluster tomatoes purchased for 50 lira were sold for 149.95 lira, white cabbage bought for 8 lira was sold for 24.95 lira, and cocktail tomatoes acquired for 72 lira were sold for 219 lira.
These findings, resulting from inspections in 72 branches of 11 different supermarket chains, also led to the conclusion of alleged exorbitant price increases.
In İzmir, inspections targeting local and chain markets involved examining price movements for potatoes, pointed peppers, lemons, quinces, charleston peppers, and apples throughout the supply chain using the Wholesale Market Registration System.
It was found that potatoes purchased for 5 lira from a wholesaler in Ödemiş district were sold to consumers in İzmir for 28.99 lira. Pointed peppers bought for 50 lira from a producer in Serik, Antalya, were sold for 249.99 lira in İzmir. Lemons acquired for 18 lira from a commission agent in Dalaman, Muğla, were sold for 129.95 lira in İzmir. Quince imported from Iran and bought for 30 lira from a wholesaler in İzmir was sold for 225 lira. Charleston peppers purchased for 48 lira from a producer in Finike, Antalya, were sold for 199 lira in İzmir. Pointed peppers bought for 50 lira from a commission agent in Elmalı, Antalya, were sold for 389.95 lira in İzmir. Golden apples purchased for 30 lira from a producer in Gönen, Balıkesir, were sold for 99.99 lira in İzmir. These evaluations also concluded that unfair price increases were applied by the mentioned businesses.
In Antalya, inspections of chain markets revealed similar discrepancies for cabbage, eggplant, green beans, carrots, zucchini, apples, tomatoes, peppers, and mandarins. Cabbage purchased for 15 lira from a commission agent in Antalya was sold to consumers for 38 lira. Eggplant bought for 35 lira was sold for 67 lira. Green beans acquired for 160 lira were sold for 300 lira. Carrots purchased for 35 lira from a commission agent in Konya were sold for 65 lira. Zucchini bought for 35 lira from a commission agent in Antalya was sold for 79.9 lira. Apples purchased for 55 lira by a trader in Antalya were sold for 135 lira to consumers after passing through other traders. Tomatoes bought for 55 lira by a trader in Antalya were sold for 135 lira to consumers. Peppers purchased for 17 lira by a trader in Antalya were sold for 199 lira to consumers after a series of transactions. Mandarins purchased for 20 lira by an exporter in Adana were sold for 69.95 lira to consumers.
As a result of all these findings, the matter has been referred to the Ministry of Trade’s Unfair Price Evaluation Board for the implementation of necessary administrative sanctions.
