20.02.2025 12:51
The Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat, announced that they will increase inspection efforts to prevent manipulative price hikes before the month of Ramadan. Inspections have been conducted on 11,000 businesses and more than 152,000 products related to essential food items. Penalties for exorbitant pricing and stockpiling practices could rise up to 17 million 271 thousand 600 lira.
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The Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat, stated that inspections will continue to prevent the negative effects of manipulative price increases in the market, saying, "We are making efforts to ensure that this blessed month is spent in the best way by intensifying our inspection activities during Ramadan."
STRICT CONTROL ON EXORBITANT PRICES
In order to prevent citizens from suffering, to maintain a fair competitive environment in the market, and to combat irregular practices such as exorbitant pricing and stockpiling, the Ministry of Trade's market monitoring and inspection activities continue ahead of the month of Ramadan. In this context, since January, approximately 11,000 businesses and more than 152,000 products have been inspected for unfair price increases and stockpiling across the country. In these inspections, particular emphasis has been placed on basic food items that hold significant importance on consumers' Ramadan tables, such as flour, bread, oil, milk and dairy products, eggs, red and white meat, and legumes. Additionally, cleaning and hygiene products such as all types of cleaners, detergents, soaps, shampoos, and toothpaste, as well as personal care products, have also been examined.
ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS WILL BE APPLIED AGAINST ALL MANIPULATIVE INITIATIVES
As Ramadan approaches, the intensified inspections will continue to increase. Administrative sanctions will be applied against all initiatives that manipulate the market order in accessing basic food and essential goods. In this context, work continues to identify practices of exorbitant pricing and stockpiling. The Unfair Price Assessment Board will apply necessary administrative sanctions against identified violations with the aim of protecting consumer rights and ensuring fair competition in the market. In this framework, fines ranging from 143,930 lira to 1,439,300 lira for exorbitant pricing and from 1,439,300 lira to 17,271,600 lira for stockpiling initiatives may be imposed.
"EXORBITANT PRICE INITIATIVES CAN BE REPORTED THROUGH CIMER AND E-GOVERNMENT"
Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat stated that all essential sectors, especially food, are being closely monitored ahead of Ramadan. Bolat pointed out that the Ministry continues its efforts to ensure that the market operates fairly, competitively, and stably, and he noted: "Our inspections will continue unabated in the coming days to prevent the negative effects of manipulative price increases in the market. If necessary, additional measures will be promptly implemented by our Ministry. In this context, citizens can report the exorbitant prices and stockpiling initiatives they encounter regarding basic food and essential goods through CİMER, e-Government, or the Unfair Price Increase Complaint System (HFA) mobile application, or by directly contacting our Ministry or provincial trade directorates. We stand behind all market inspection activities and are always by the side of our citizens. During Ramadan, we are making efforts to ensure that this blessed month is spent in the best way by intensifying our inspection activities."
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