Unofficial increase in bread prices in Istanbul: 8 TL
Bakers, who demanded a rise in bread last year but managed to get the approval they expected months later, made unofficial increases in bread prices without waiting for the increased fee. This year the same thing happens again.
Studies launched by the bakers affiliated with the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) and the Chamber of Craftsmen to increase the prices of bread sold in Istanbul by 33-40 percent have not yet been completed.
However, as of yesterday, 240 grams of bread, which sold for 6 lira in many bakeries in various districts, has been reduced to 230 grams and increased to 8 lira.
THE OFFICIAL RATE IS NOT YET AVAILABLE
The bakers demand that 200 grams of bread be reduced from 5 lira to 7 lira, and 240 grams of bread be sold from 6 lira to 230 grams and sold at 8 lira.
The bakers affiliated with the Chamber of Artisans have officially made this request, but have yet to receive a positive response.
On the other hand, the bakers affiliated with the ITO will make a proposal to increase the price per kilogram of bread from TL 25 to TL 35 at the July assembly to be held on Thursday of next week.
With this offer that will be presented, the 200 grams of bread will be increased from 5 liras to 7 liras, and the 240 grams of bread sold for 6 liras will be reduced to 230 grams and increased to 8 liras.
The bakers hope that this increase offer will most likely be accepted.
‘TMO CUT FLOUR SUPPORT, FLOUR IS INCREASED BY 70 PERCENT’
Bakers point to rising flour and labor costs as the reason for this increase offer.
The rise in flour prices following the announcement of wheat purchase prices in early June was expected to boost bread prices.
Some of the officials we spoke to explained that the application for affordable flour offered to bakers by the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) ended at the end of May, and that after the end of this application, flour prices from the private sector increased and the price of 50 kilograms of flour went from 325-350 TL to 550-550 TL and stated that it has increased to 600 TL.
Although their most important inputs increased according to free market conditions, bakers reacted to the fact that bread was subject to the tariff, saying they resorted to unofficial price increases to avoid further losses.
FOR TWO YEARS, WITHOUT TARIFF
Bakers, who demanded a rise in bread prices in May of last year, began raising prices without waiting for approval; In some districts, bread cost up to 4-4.5 lire.
Bakers started selling bread at 3.5 lire in December 2021, without waiting for the official increase.