Large increase in the prices of meat products and charcuterie

Although the prices of meat and other livestock products in Turkey increased day by day, this increase was also reflected in the inflation figures.

When the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) announced March consumer inflation (CPI) data today, the size of the increases in meat and livestock products drew attention. Although the champion of the rise was beef, the prices of products such as lamb and chicken rose strongly compared to the previous month.

HIGH CHAMPION MEAT

According to TURKSTAT, the main item with the highest price increase in March compared to the previous month was beef with 19.9 percent. With an increase rate of 15.16 percent, ‘delicatessen and other meat varieties’ ranked second, and with an increase of 11.16 percent, ‘eggs and egg-related products’ ranked third. The monthly increase in poultry meat was 5.86 percent.

In addition, the increases in products such as meat, fish and eggs drew attention. According to Sozcu.com.tr compiled from TUIK data, lamb meat prices increased by 14.58 percent compared to the previous month. Organ meats increased 11.6%, eggs 11.2% and fresh fish and shellfish increased 4.9%.

When you look at commodity price increases, you see that beef prices have risen 60 percent since the beginning of the year. The increase since the beginning of the year in lamb meat was 46.3 percent, and in poultry meat 26.44%.

HEAVY RAIN BEFORE RAMADAN

In the price research conducted by the Turkish Union of Agricultural Chambers (TZOB) before Ramadan, when prices were examined in the 14-day period to the end of March, it was seen that there was a large increase in meat products.

In the 14-day period from March 17 to 31, TZOB data indicated the largest price increases in the market were for lamb at 16 percent and beef at 15 percent.

According to data from the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, in March, beef increased 17.99 percent, fish meat increased 16.63 percent and mutton increased 13.91 percent.

While the price of minced meat at butcher stalls has been hovering around 300 lira recently, prices for items like cubed meat and steak are rising even higher.

WHY DO MEAT PRICES RISE?

Veysel Günal, regional vice president of the Turkish Federation of Butchers, Meat Farmers and Meat Products Traders and Craftsmen, said in a statement he made in recent weeks that the price increases were automatic.

Association of Industrialists and Producers of Red Meat (ETBİR) Chairman of the Veterinary Board Dr. Ahmet Yücesan also argued that the price increase was related to the cost of production in the past.

Yücesan said: “These are reflections related to inflation. The reason this didn’t open up directly to the market was an increase in demand and a decrease in production, as we just talked about, this price gradually started to go up,” he said.