27.12.2025 14:17
The Ministry of Trade conducted simultaneous inspections for exorbitant prices in 81 provinces as part of the minimum wage increase and New Year's shopping. The inspections focus on checking the appropriateness of prices for basic food and consumer products. Elif Tan, the Director of the Ankara Trade Provincial Directorate, stated, "Due to the upcoming New Year, we are also continuing our intensive inspections in the dried fruits and snacks sections."
The Ministry of Trade teams intensified market inspections against potential exorbitant price practices following the minimum wage increase.
In this context, the teams from the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Trade conducted inspections at a supermarket located in a shopping mall in Ankara. During these inspections, the labels of basic food and essential goods were examined. The teams also conducted checks for discrepancies between label and cash register prices.
REQUEST FOR 3-MONTH INVOICES FROM THE PAST
Ankara Provincial Trade Director Elif Tan stated in her evaluation that they are intensively continuing exorbitant price inspections in 81 provinces. Tan reported that they request the past 3-month invoices of the products during these inspections and mentioned that administrative sanctions are applied by the Unfair Price Assessment Board after the inspections.
"DUE TO THE NEW YEAR, NUT AND SNACK SECTIONS ARE ALSO BEING INSPECTED"
Tan expressed that basic food and essential products are being examined in the inspections, stating, "We are conducting this inspection to prevent unfair and excessive price increases by using this increase as an excuse after the announcement of the minimum wage. Additionally, due to the upcoming new year, our intensive inspections in the nut and snack sections are ongoing." Tan reported that they conducted simultaneous inspections in 6 districts of Ankara and noted that they will continue inspections decisively to ensure that the increase in the minimum wage does not lead to exorbitant prices, in line with the Ministry's instructions.
ADMINISTRATIVE FINES UP TO 1,439,300 TL FOR EACH VIOLATION
The İzmir Provincial Directorate of Trade teams also went into the field in the Çiğli district. The teams inspected a designated large supermarket and checked the product labels one by one. In a statement from the institution, it was noted, "Businesses that unjustly increase product prices, especially using the minimum wage increase as an excuse, are being identified by our inspection teams and reported to our Ministry. Our Ministry imposes administrative fines of up to 1,439,300 TL for each violation on these businesses. Additionally, simultaneously, our Directorate personnel are also conducting inspections of labels, tariffs, and menus in accordance with price label regulations," it was stated.
67 MILLION 500 THOUSAND TL IN FINES APPLIED IN BURSA THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
In Bursa, inspections were also carried out in businesses such as nut shops, gift shops, supermarkets, restaurants, and eateries due to the upcoming New Year. Trade Provincial Director İsmail Aslanlar stated, "Approximately 67 million 500 thousand TL in administrative fines were imposed in Bursa in 2025. Our inspections will continue with great determination. As the New Year approaches, we are conducting inspections on products such as nuts, food, supermarkets, and gift items. Additionally, we are conducting inspections in businesses operating in the food and beverage sector, such as cafes, restaurants, and eateries," he stated.