Turkey Stops Chicken Exports After Price Increase Ahead of Ramadan

Illustration of a chicken farm. (Wikimedia Commons/jlastras)

JAKARTA - Turkey has decided to stop exporting chicken meat ahead of the Holy Month of Ramadan, in order to stabilize domestic prices and prevent what authorities describe as unjustified increases that could burden consumers.

The decision was taken after domestic poultry producers and sellers raised prices by up to 15 percent before Ramadan, prompting the government to intervene to protect the domestic market.

The Ministry of Trade said the decision was aimed at supporting the balance of supply and demand and curbing food price volatility.

In a statement, the Ministry of Trade said that recent regional developments affecting the food market, combined with increasing domestic demand and seasonal shifts in consumption patterns, had accelerated price movements in certain product groups, including poultry.

"The price developments in the poultry meat market have been closely monitored, and it has been carefully assessed whether the formation of prices remains within the framework of normal market conditions," the ministry said, quoted by Daily Sabah (10/2).

"In this framework, as a step to support the balance of supply and demand in the market, measures to suspend the export of poultry meat have been implemented starting today (yesterday)," the statement continued.

The ministry added, "any practice or behavior of speculative pricing that can harm our consumers or disrupt the market mechanism through excessive price exploitation is being closely monitored," noting that the necessary inspection and sanction processes are being carried out "strictly."

Ramadan is a time to increase worship, religious reflection, charity, and good deeds. Socially, this month often brings families and friends together in festive gatherings around food for breaking the fast.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, Ramadan 1447 Hijriah is estimated to fall next week.

Turkey often takes temporary trade measures ahead of Ramadan, when food demand typically rises, to hold inflation in check and ensure a stable supply of essential goods.