Turkey investigates poultry cartel amid 250% price surge

Turkish authorities have launched a major investigation into a suspected poultry cartel following a massive surge in chicken prices. In mid-June, officials detained 29 executives and high-ranking employees from leading poultry companies across eight provinces. The suspects face charges of price fixing, disrupting the free market, and criminal organization to obtain illegal profits.

The investigation targets 13 companies that control approximately 80% of the domestic poultry market, including Banvit, Şenpiliç, Erpiliç, Keskinoglu, Lezita, and Gedik. Antitrust regulators allege that executives used encrypted applications and secret meetings to exchange pricing information, delay discounts, and coordinate supply reductions to artificially inflate market prices.

Since the beginning of 2026, chicken prices in Turkey have risen by between 150% and 250%. While the government previously restricted poultry exports to boost domestic supply, prices failed to stabilize, prompting further scrutiny. Although a court initially imposed mandatory administration on 13 companies, it lifted the measure for 11 of them in mid-June following industry concerns regarding production stability. The investigation remains ongoing.