Density in Eminönü: citizens complain about high prices

With just a few days to go before Eid al-Adha, citizens flocked to the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü to shop. It was seen that the citizens were especially concentrated in shops of Turkish delight, sweets and nuts.

Making comparisons with the old festivals, the traders state that the density is low and they are also satisfied with the current situation. While the price of a kilogram of Turkish delight in the bazaar varies according to its type, the price of a kilogram of classic Turkish delight varies between 55-60 lira. Walnuts vary between 80 lire and 200 lire.

Olive prices range from 100 lira to 200 lira in the bazaar, while cheese prices range from 75 lira to 250 lira. Buyers say that prices are high, while traders say that prices are normal.

“HAZELNUT, ALMOND AND CAJUN FROM 250 LIRA”

Ayhan Dengin, who works as a trader in Eminönü, said: “Citizens are not busy at the moment. Busy on Saturdays and Sundays. It fills up the weekend before the holidays. Normal dough now. In other words, because it’s hot in the air, it doesn’t come out with the heat in certain people. Expect a busy weekend. Our prices are normal according to the standard of living. 1 kilo of Turkish delight is 60 lira. The weight of granulated sugar is 40 lire. A good Turkish delight with hazelnut, pistachio, coconut, pomegranate and kadaif, 60 lira is quite reasonable, along with the coffees we consider party must-haves. Our prices for nuts are pretty normal. The weight of the hazelnuts, almonds and cashews starts at 250 lire”.

Dessert shop owner Ahmet Üstündağ said, “Overall, we are satisfied. But there is a recession these days. Frankly, it’s nowhere near the holidays. We expect light intensity, not much. Because it is Eid-al-Adha, the Eid holiday is 9 days, the citizen went to his hometown. I think it will be better than this weekend. In general, citizens prefer mixed desserts. We do it mixed. Our pistachio baklavas cost 330 lira, the walnuts 290 lira, we make them mixed between 280-300 lira. It depends on the peanut, depending on the situation,” he said.

“THE PRICES ARE TOO EXPENSIVE, I HAVE AS MUCH AS MY BUDGET”

Nafiye Altıntaş, who came to the store, said: “I came now, but it is very crowded. I’ll see what to get. “Now I’m in the coffee line,” she said. A woman who was shopping in a nut store said that her prices seemed expensive and she said: “Everything is very expensive, the prices are not good at all. I didn’t buy a lot of nuts, I just bought as much as my budget.” (DHA)