17.08.2025 17:54
The CHP Aydıncık District Chairman Sadık Erdoğan claimed that he couldn't find a buyer even below the cost for a tractor-load of potatoes, which he dumped in the village square. The footage quickly became a topic of discussion, and the Ministry of Trade launched an investigation into Sadık Erdoğan, who is a farmer. Erdoğan stated, "I wish they had spent the time they used to open an investigation listening to the problems of these farmers."
Sadık Erdoğan, the CHP Aydıncık District President, who has been making a living through farming since childhood in Kazankaya Village, Aydıncık district of Yozgat, filled his trailer with 150 sacks of potatoes and dumped them in the village square, stating that he and other farmers could not even find buyers for their onions and potatoes below the cost of production, and that citizens could take as many as they wanted for free.
MINISTRY TOOK ACTION AFTER FOOTAGE
In a statement, Deputy Minister of Trade Mahmut Gürcan announced that all information, documents, and minutes related to the incident would be forwarded to the Unfair Price Assessment Board of the General Directorate of Internal Trade of the Ministry of Trade, and that as a result of the evaluation, an administrative fine ranging from 1.4 million lira to 17.2 million lira would be imposed on Erdoğan for "disturbing market balance and free competition" and "creating scarcity in the market." Gürcan also stated that a criminal complaint would be filed against Erdoğan for "inciting hatred and hostility against the public" and "insulting the President."
"I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION"
In a written statement, CHP Aydıncık District President Erdoğan stated that he had not yet received any notification and noted: "As a farmer from Kazankaya Village in Aydıncık district, I wanted to bring the issues faced by our farmers regarding onions and potatoes to the agenda by dumping the potatoes I brought with a tractor trailer in the area where there are MOBESE cameras, asking people to take them for free. An investigation has been initiated against me by the Ministry of Trade for 'disturbing market balance and creating scarcity in the market.' I have not received any notification regarding this matter. In the statement made by the deputy minister, it is mentioned that the potatoes I dumped were collected back and sold in the market.
"I HAVE NO INTENTION OF DISTURBING MARKET BALANCE"
As can be seen from the MOBESE cameras, after the action, citizens took the potatoes I dumped and loaded them into their cars, and at that moment, I moved away from the tractor so that people could take the potatoes comfortably. When I returned, only 5-6 sacks remained from the approximately 150 sacks of potatoes; I moved those aside, collected the torn sacks, and threw them away. I was going to collect the potatoes left on the ground, but the neighbors said, 'the village's cattle will come soon, they will eat them,' so I did not collect them. I have no intention of insulting anyone, nor do I have any intention of disturbing market balance. I wish they had spent the time they used to write me a fine and open an investigation to listen to and solve the problems of these farmers. While we expect support from our state in solving the problems we face, unfortunately, they are doing everything they can to distance us from agricultural production.