Price Manipulation Operation Targeting Food Suppliers in 22 Provinces

September 16, 2026 · Bloomberg HT

As part of an investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, arrest warrants were issued for the executives of 41 major distribution companies artificially inflating prices in the fresh fruit and vegetable market using fake receipts.

Price Investigation from Farm to Market

A comprehensive judicial investigation has been launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into exorbitant price increases in the fresh fruit and vegetable market. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek shared the details of the ongoing inspection and review process with the public.

'Data from our Ministry of Trade's Hal Registration System and our Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Farmer Registration System were obtained; a comprehensive report was prepared by the Revenue Administration's Tax Inspection Board. By referencing the statements of approximately 1,029 farmers, the price at which products left the producer and the conditions under which they reached suppliers were examined.'

Cost Manipulation with Fake Receipts

During the conducted inspections, it was determined that companies acting as major suppliers in wholesale markets were abusing their market dominance. According to ministry reviews, these businesses were found to be deliberately showing low product supply and artificially high costs. Official reports indicated that companies inflated costs by issuing fake producer receipts, thereby artificially driving up fresh fruit and vegetable prices in the chain from farm to market and securing illicit profits.

Simultaneous Raids in 22 Provinces

Following the identified irregularities, law enforcement units launched a large-scale operation. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek provided the following information regarding the operation:

'Within this scope; in the investigation conducted for offenses including price manipulation, violation of the Tax Procedure Law, document forgery, and money laundering derived from crime, arrest warrants were issued for 41 suspect executives of 41 major distribution companies; simultaneous searches were initiated at a total of 109 workplaces and residences in 22 provinces.'

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek also emphasized that the process would continue with determination.

'No stage of the chain from farm to table will be allowed to become a source of illicit profit at the expense of our producers' labor and our citizens' budgets.'

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