Meat Becomes a Luxury: Turkey’s Food Inflation Sparks Social Crisis

Turkey’s relentless surge in food inflation is no longer just an economic issue—it is morphing into a social crisis. According to Aydın Ağaoğlu, President of the Consumer Confederation, access to basic animal protein sources has become increasingly out of reach for ordinary citizens, particularly retirees and low-income households.

“Meat Only on Holidays”

Speaking via social media, Ağaoğlu captured the depth of the crisis with stark words: “For retirees and low-income citizens, being able to buy meat has become almost possible only during religious holidays.” This symbolic statement underscores the widening gap between wages and food prices, where essential nutrition is being reduced to a luxury.

Eggs Double in 90 Days

The crisis is not confined to red meat. Another staple protein source—eggs—has seen a staggering price surge. Ağaoğlu noted that egg prices, once between 100-125 TL, have doubled within 90 days to reach 200-240 TL per tray. This represents a shocking 100% increase, placing one of the most basic and affordable protein options increasingly beyond the reach of millions of households.

Red Meat Prices Outpace Inflation Fivefold

TÜKONFED’s warnings are supported by broader economic indicators. Red meat prices in Turkey have risen at rates far exceeding overall inflation—five times faster, according to Ağaoğlu. The price spikes have redefined red meat as a premium item that large portions of the population can no longer regularly afford.

Eurostat Data: Turkey Tops Europe in Meat Costs and Poverty

Adding to the domestic concern, Eurostat data reveals that Turkey ranks first in Europe both in meat price inflation and poverty levels. Nearly half the population is unable to put meat on the table, a sobering reminder of how household nutrition is being reshaped by economic pressures. This data confirms that Turkey’s food affordability crisis is unmatched across the continent.

Poultry Industry Under Scrutiny

Even poultry, traditionally considered a cheaper alternative, is not exempt from price volatility. The Competition Authority recently fined several major companies in the poultry sector a staggering 3.7 billion TL for forming an oligopoly and manipulating prices. Despite this intervention, Ağaoğlu argues that structural flaws remain unresolved. “Despite record penalties, prices continue to rise without slowing down,” he emphasized, pointing to systemic inefficiencies and insufficient regulatory outcomes.

Beyond Economics: A Threat to Social Stability

For Ağaoğlu, the situation has crossed beyond economics into the realm of social survival. Rising food costs mean families are forced into difficult choices, often sacrificing protein-rich foods essential for a healthy diet. As incomes stagnate while food costs soar, households are pushed toward unhealthy and unbalanced diets, fueling risks of long-term malnutrition, especially among children and the elderly.

A Growing Divide Between Policy and Reality

Despite government measures and interventions in food markets, the gap between official actions and lived reality is stark. Massive fines and market investigations have failed to cool price surges, suggesting that Turkey’s food inflation problem is more structural than situational. Without effective solutions, the crisis could deepen into a broader public health and social stability challenge, far beyond temporary economic turbulence.

Turkey’s unfolding food affordability crisis is a reminder that inflation statistics translate into lived hardship at the dinner table. As Ağaoğlu warns, unless access to basic protein sources like meat and eggs is restored, millions of citizens may face not only economic deprivation but also a crisis of dignity and survival.