Turkey food prices rise for 75 consecutive months

Food prices in Turkey continue to rise, marking a 75-month streak of uninterrupted increases according to data from the Birleşik Kamu-İş Confederation's research unit, Kamu-Ar. While seasonal decreases in some fruits and vegetables occurred, rising costs for meat, oil, and processed foods drove the August food price index up by 0.5% monthly and 56.7% annually.

Research indicates a significant gap between food inflation and wage growth. Since September 2021, food prices have surged by 2,181%, while public sector wages have increased by 1,292%. This disparity has resulted in a 39% real decline in the purchasing power of wage earners against food costs.

Data from the Turkey Economic Policy Research Foundation (TEPAV) also noted that while monthly food inflation showed a slight trend toward stabilization at 1.07% for the August 1-25 period, the annual food inflation rate remained high at 30.9%. Specific price increases were observed in local bonito, eggs, and tea, while prices for items like fresh beans, lemons, and melons saw declines.