22.09.2025 08:32
The Ministry of Trade took action by following up on a video that became a topic of discussion on social media. An investigation was initiated after a market owner claimed in the video that he was selling sunflower oil, which costs 150 lira, for 450 lira. Although the market employee stated that the remark was made "for humorous purposes," the Ministry has considered imposing a fine of up to 17 million lira and has also filed a criminal complaint with the prosecutor's office.
On September 20, a video circulating on social media featured a supermarket employee claiming that a 150 lira sunflower oil was being sold for 450 lira. The video caught the attention of the Ministry of Trade, and its authenticity was investigated. Ministry units began to investigate the supermarket where the video was filmed, and in the meantime, discussions were held with the oil producer. The oil producer stated that the wholesale costs of the relevant product were in line with current market shelf prices, emphasizing that the claimed 151.50 TL supply cost was from 2023 and had no relation to the refined oil costs of 2025.
Deputy Minister of Trade Mahmut Gürcan explained how the investigation was conducted in a social media post. Gürcan provided the information that "As a result of the meticulous research conducted by our Hatay Trade Provincial Directorate teams, it has been definitively determined that the social media user in the footage is Abdullah G., and the supermarket in question is 'T. Market' located in the Ö. Apartment of S. Neighborhood." He also reported that after this stage, all stocks of the supermarket were reviewed.
According to the information provided by Gürcan, the supermarket owner stated in his confession, "I made a humorous post on social media. My usual purchase price for the product is 351.25 TL. The post I made on social media does not reflect the truth. My current stock status shows 55 units." These statements were recorded in a report.
FINES UP TO 17 MILLION LIRA ON THE AGENDA
Deputy Minister Gürcan indicated that the matter would be subject to legal proceedings, stating, "The issue will be referred to the Ministry of Trade's Unfair Price Assessment Board, and if the act in question is evaluated as hoarding and a disruptive act against market balance and free competition under Law No. 6585 on the Regulation of Retail Trade, an administrative fine ranging from 1 million 400 thousand TL to 17 million 200 thousand TL will be imposed on the relevant individual."
8 MILLION 500 THOUSAND LIRA FINE FOR THE SHARER
Deputy Minister of Trade Gürcan stated that regarding the social media accounts that shared the video, "It has been determined that a hidden advertisement was made, and in this regard, an investigation has been initiated by the Advertising Board against the relevant accounts. As a result of the investigation, an administrative fine ranging from 850,000 TL to 8,500,000 TL will be imposed on these accounts." According to the information provided by the Ministry, a criminal complaint has also been filed against 4 social media accounts.
Gürcan also warned in his statement: "Our Ministry will continue to act decisively against any initiative aimed at creating a false perception in society and misleading our citizens; it will mobilize all its resources to ensure the protection of market order, the rights of our consumers, and the public interest."
SUPERMARKET OWNER APOLOGIZED
In response to the reactions following the post, a social media user claiming to be the owner of the video made a statement. The user stated that the footage was prepared entirely for humorous purposes, saying, "I did not intend to mislead anyone. I apologize to all our people and my elders."