The President of the Turkish Bakers Federation, Halil İbrahim Balcı, stated that there is no expected change in bread prices this month, emphasizing, “If our efforts do not yield results, then there will be a significant impact on bread prices in the following months.”

Balcı, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the Turkey Tradesmen and Craftsmen’s Confederation (TESK), stated at a press conference held at the Federation Headquarters, that the increase in flour and input prices in the past month has been challenging for bakers.

“INEVITABLE RISE IN BREAD PRICES” He pointed out that these increases make a rise in bread prices inevitable, stating, “We have conducted necessary work with relevant institutions on what to do about these price hikes. Our Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Treasury and Finance have worked with us.” Balcı reported that this year’s harvest was higher than normal, with 14.5 million tons of wheat for bread and 12 million tons of wheat used for flour. He highlighted the need for measures to be taken due to the lower quality of the harvest this year, but the rise in prices in certain regions where the product is of high quality. Balcı emphasized the necessity to take precautions in this regard. Warning that if the increases continue, the bread price will become unreasonable, he stated, “If today a kilogram of bread is sold for 50 liras, it will not be possible to maintain this price at 65 liras. This will have a negative impact on bread. So far, our tradesmen have shown the necessary sacrifices. I want to emphasize that in this month, there will be no price change in bread sold at 50 liras per kilogram.”

“OUR GOAL IS TO SUSTAIN WITHOUT PRICE INCREASE” Balcı added, “If these negative conditions persist, the impact on bread will also deviate from the norm. The impact on bread has always been within the range of 20-25 percent. We should strive not to exceed 25 percent together with the minimum wage. Measures should be taken regarding this issue. Institutions must fulfill their duties. We have been in daily communication with our Ministry of Commerce on this matter for the past month. We have met with our Minister of Treasury and Finance, Mehmet Şimşek.”

“Our goal is to sustain basic food such as bread without increasing prices as much as possible. In summary, for this month, bread prices are being sold at 50 liras per kilogram and will continue to be sold at this price. However, if our efforts do not yield results, there will be a significant impact on bread prices in the following months.”