18.04.2025 16:43
The Ministry of Trade has intensified its inspections against manipulative price movements for certain products following the agricultural frost. Teams have examined 1,271 companies and 8,476 products across the country, particularly in provinces where frost events have occurred. Additionally, they are continuing their efforts to compensate producers adversely affected by the agricultural frost situation.
```html
The Ministry of Trade intensified its inspections against manipulative price movements on certain products after the agricultural frost, while teams examined 1,271 companies and 8,476 products across the country, especially in provinces where frost events were observed. Following the agricultural frost event that occurred in Turkey and affected many provinces to varying degrees, it was determined that there was an increase in the prices of some fruits and vegetables. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also drew attention to this issue after the Cabinet Meeting, stating that they are closely monitoring the process and that those causing any manipulation will not be given the opportunity before the damage assessment studies are completed.
COMPANIES CAUSING HARDSHIP FOR CITIZENS UNDER SCRUTINY
The Ministry of Trade has intensified its efforts against initiatives that have caused citizens to suffer by increasing prices of essential goods and services necessary for public nutrition, healthy living, and protection. The Ministry is closely monitoring the supply-demand balance of agricultural products and food items, as well as the impact of agricultural frost on prices, in order to ensure supply security. In this context, market inspection and supervision activities were carried out across Turkey against opportunistic initiatives.
STOCK MONITORING FOR LEMON SUPPLY
In the inspections concentrated in 81 provinces, especially those affected by the agricultural frost, 1,271 companies and 8,476 products were examined. Additionally, inspections were conducted by provincial trade directorates, particularly on companies engaged in lemon trade. Here, the stock status of lemons, stock entry and exit movements, and purchase and sale prices of businesses were examined. The Ministry conducted stock monitoring to ensure that there are no issues in lemon supply.
ADDITIONAL MEASURES AND INSPECTIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED
Serious sanctions are also being implemented against producers, suppliers, and retail businesses that apply exorbitant prices and against initiatives identified as hoarding. In this context, businesses that engage in hoarding at least three times in a calendar year can be closed for up to 6 days. This year, in line with the revaluation rate, fines ranging from 143,930 lira to 1,439,300 lira can be imposed on those applying exorbitant prices, and fines between 1,439,300 lira and 17,271,600 lira can be applied to hoarding initiatives.
PRODUCERS' LOSSES WILL BE COMPENSATED
In the upcoming periods, additional measures and inspections will be implemented in collaboration with relevant institutions, primarily the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, to protect food supply and security, ensure that citizens can access food at reasonable prices, and prevent potential manipulative price movements in the market. In this context, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is also focusing on damage assessment after the agricultural frost event and continues its efforts to compensate the losses of producers adversely affected by the situation.
```