Turkey meat prices surge as consumers turn to bones and offal

Rising meat prices in Turkey have turned red meat into a luxury for many households. With red meat prices exceeding 1,000 lira per kilogram, consumers are increasingly turning to bones and offal to meet protein needs.

In Ankara’s Ulus district, butchers report that items previously discarded, such as bones, are now being sold in packages. Beef bone prices start at 100 lira, while lamb bone is 60 lira. Other affordable options include chicken liver at 56 lira and beef lungs at 100 lira. Butchers note that bones are often selling faster than meat itself.

Economic data from TÜRK-İŞ indicates that the hunger limit has reached 37,388 TL and the poverty limit has climbed to 121,786 TL, levels that exceed the salaries of both retirees and minimum wage earners. Local vendors observe that retirees are the primary consumers of these cheaper alternatives, often purchasing bones and offal so their children can have some form of nutrition.