Isparta raises bread and simit prices to 20 TL as cost‑of‑living protests swell

Effective 1 August 2026, the Turkish city of Isparta introduced a new price tariff for staple bakery items. The price of a 240‑gram loaf of bread and a 240‑gram simit was set at 20 TL, while a 450‑gram home‑baked loaf will cost 40 TL. Bakers said the increase reflects higher costs for flour, energy and labour.

Local residents reacted strongly, describing the hikes as a further strain on already tight household budgets. One citizen warned that “the minimum‑wage earner is being condemned to starvation,” while another noted that “two people can barely manage with one loaf, but larger families need four.” Bakers such as İsmail Arıkan defended the decision, calling it “a necessary step because costs keep rising.” The public outcry highlights growing concerns over inflation and living‑cost pressures in Turkey.