Ministry of Trade Investigates Vegetable and Fruit Price Hikes in Ankara
Ankara, April 9 – The Ministry of Trade has launched an investigation into disproportionate price increases for vegetables and fruits in several chain supermarkets operating in Ankara, İzmir, and Antalya. The inspections, carried out by provincial trade directorates, revealed significant findings of unfair pricing practices. The detected violations have been forwarded to the Unfair Price Evaluation Board for the application of necessary administrative sanctions.
Inspections in Ankara: Prices Soar for Produce
Teams from the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Trade conducted inspections on April 6 and 7, meticulously examining price movements in the vegetable and fruit sections of markets, cross-referencing them with the Produce Registration System. The inspections uncovered striking price disparities for various products:
- Charleston pepper: Purchased at 42 TL, sold at 249.67 TL
- Beetroot: Purchased at 15 TL, sold at 79.95 TL
- Stuffing pepper: Purchased at 63.33 TL, sold at 249.67 TL
- Parsley: Purchased at 5 TL, sold at 19.95 TL
Additionally, ginger was found to be purchased at 53.5 TL and sold at 196 TL, while red pepper was purchased at 75 TL and sold at 286.33 TL. In total, inspections were carried out in 94 branches belonging to 13 different chain markets, and 72 branches of 11 different companies, with exorbitant price increases detected in numerous products.
Significant Price Differences from Producer to Consumer in İzmir
In İzmir, inspections focused on price changes throughout the supply chain. Some notable findings include:
- Potatoes: Purchased at 5 TL, sold at 28.99 TL
- Pointed pepper: Purchased at 50 TL, reached up to 249.99 TL
- Lemon: Purchased at 18 TL, sold at 129.95 TL
- Quince: Purchased at 30 TL, offered at 225 TL
- Apple: Purchased at 30 TL, sold at 99.99 TL
Based on these figures, authorities concluded that some businesses engaged in unfair price increases.
Similar Situation in Antalya
Inspections in Antalya also revealed a similar pattern, comparing producer, wholesaler, and market prices. Price differences for some products were:
- Cabbage: Purchased at 15 TL, sold at 38 TL
- Eggplant: Purchased at 35 TL, sold at 67 TL
- Green beans: Purchased at 160 TL, sold at 300 TL
- Tomatoes: Purchased at 55 TL, sold at 135 TL
- Mandarin: Purchased at 20 TL, offered at 69.95 TL
These investigations identified high-rate price increases in many products.
Referred to the Board for Action
The Ministry of Trade announced that it has referred the identified findings to the Unfair Price Evaluation Board for the implementation of administrative sanctions against the relevant businesses. This move underscores the ministry’s commitment to combating unfair pricing practices and protecting consumers from excessive costs.
Source: https://sonsoz.com.tr/ankarada-denetim-sebze-ve-meyvede-fiyatlar-katlandi
