Potato Prices Soar to 140 TL Due to Excessive Retail Margins

In a statement, the association highlighted that the increased cost is not benefiting producers, who face numerous challenges, but rather intermediaries. "The burden unfairly placed on producers must be lifted," the statement added.

The association explained that unfavorable weather conditions and a blight outbreak significantly reduced the spring harvest, causing a supply shortage. Spring-harvested potatoes initially sold for 25 TL, rising to 40 TL towards the end of the season.

Due to the supply gap, early harvesting of the autumn crop was necessary, but extreme heat in August and September further limited the yield. To cover production costs, the farmgate price for early-harvested potatoes was set at 65 TL, with wholesale and retail margins increasing the price to 80 TL by the time they reached markets.

However, the association emphasized that excessive profit margins by some retailers have inflated the price to as high as 140 TL. "Consumers’ money is lining the pockets of intermediaries, not producers who labor under challenging conditions," the statement concluded.