Small growers complain of collusion in the meat market

Meat Prices Under Investigation: Turkish Prosecutors Target Alleged Cartel

Turkish prosecutors have launched a sweeping investigation into alleged manipulation of red meat prices, detaining dozens of suspects—including public officials—over claims of artificial supply restrictions, price fixing, and the sale of spoiled meat. The probe raises fresh concerns about food inflation and market integrity in Türkiye.

33 Suspects Targeted in Nationwide Operation

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued detention orders for 33 individuals as part of an investigation into alleged manipulation of red meat prices and unfair profiteering.

Authorities have so far detained 30 suspects in coordinated operations across eight provinces centered in Ankara. The investigation reportedly includes both private sector actors and public officials.

Dual Charges: Market Manipulation and Public Health Risks

Prosecutors are pursuing two main charges:

• Fraud and market manipulation: Suspects are accused of acting as part of a criminal organization to influence prices, restrict supply, and manipulate the market for goods and services.
• Public health violations: Allegations also include slaughtering diseased animals and selling spoiled meat to generate illicit profits.

These accusations combine economic crimes with serious food safety concerns, potentially widening the scope of the investigation.

WhatsApp Group Allegedly Used for Coordination

According to findings based on reports from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s legal services unit and multiple complaints submitted via Türkiye’s presidential communication center (CİMER), the suspects allegedly coordinated their activities through a WhatsApp group.

Investigators are examining claims that:

• Meat suppliers artificially halted supply, citing excuses such as “no stock available” or “no animals sent for slaughter.”
• Livestock breeders withheld animals ready for slaughter in a coordinated effort to push prices higher.
• Group members agreed not to send animals to slaughterhouses and communicated through shared messaging channels.
• A financial pool was created within the group to support breeders in urgent need of cash, preventing them from selling livestock prematurely. Repayments were allegedly planned once prices increased.

Allegations of Artificial Price Surge

Authorities are also investigating claims that red meat prices—stable until late October 2025—were deliberately inflated through coordinated action.

The alleged practices include:

• Creating a perception that prices would not fall unless meat imports were opened to the private sector.
• Leveraging market dominance and purchasing power to dictate slaughter prices.
• Forcing smaller businesses out of competition while restricting consumer access to affordable red meat.

Officials argue that these actions disrupted price stability and contributed to broader inflationary pressures.

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State Intervention Undermined?

The investigation further claims that efforts by the state-run Meat and Milk Board (Et ve Süt Kurumu) to stabilize prices were undermined.

The institution had reportedly imported carcass meat and distributed it through retail chains to counter rising prices. However, suspects allegedly countered this move by continuing to withhold livestock from the market, limiting the effectiveness of the intervention and causing public losses.

Complaints Highlight Pressure on Small Businesses

The probe was triggered in part by multiple complaints submitted to CİMER, beginning in November 2025.

One complainant, identifying as a meat producer, argued that large firms were driving prices upward, placing unsustainable pressure on small and medium-sized enterprises.

“Recent consecutive price hikes have pushed carcass meat prices to unsustainable levels. Many businesses, including ours, are unable to continue production,” the complaint stated.

The complainant called for:

• Immediate investigation into price manipulation by major firms
• Increased market inspections
• Regulatory measures to ensure fair pricing
• Support for small and medium-sized businesses
• Restoration of price balance

Further Allegations of Collusion and Tax Evasion

Subsequent complaints submitted in December 2025 provided additional details, including:

• Claims that slaughter activity was deliberately paused for 15–20 days to drive prices higher
• Allegations of organized coordination under associations or sector groups
• Reports of informal financial pooling mechanisms
• Assertions that certain individuals manipulated the market while evading taxes

One complaint specifically accused a trader in Ankara of handling large volumes of livestock without proper tax reporting, further distorting the market.

Broader Implications: Food Inflation and Market Integrity

The investigation highlights growing concerns over food price inflation and the functioning of Türkiye’s agricultural supply chains.

Red meat prices have been a politically sensitive issue, affecting both household budgets and business sustainability. Allegations of coordinated manipulation—if proven—could have significant legal, economic, and regulatory consequences.

Authorities have yet to release further details on the identities of suspects or the timeline for prosecution.

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Source: Turkish media reports, Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office

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