Prior to the month of Ramadan, inspections targeting irregular practices such as hoarding and excessive pricing have been intensified. In January, 11 thousand establishments and 52 thousand products were inspected. Minister of Trade Bolat announced that additional measures will be taken if necessary. The Ministry of Trade has accelerated its inspections to prevent irregular practices such as excessive pricing and hoarding. As a result, since January, approximately 11 thousand establishments and more than 152 thousand products have been inspected nationwide for unfair price increases and hoarding. These inspections have particularly focused on essential food items such as flour, bread, oil, milk and dairy products, eggs, red and white meat, legumes, which are crucial on consumers’ tables during Ramadan. In addition, cleaning and hygiene materials like all types of cleaners, detergents, soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, as well as personal care products were also examined. ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS WILL BE APPLIED Inspections have been intensified as Ramadan approaches, and will continue to be increased. Administrative sanctions will be applied against all attempts to manipulate market regulations in the transportation of basic food and necessity items. In this context, efforts are ongoing to detect excessive pricing and hoarding practices. The Unfair Price Evaluation Board will apply necessary administrative sanctions against identified violations to protect consumer rights and ensure fair competition in the market. Accordingly, fines ranging from 143,930 to 1,439,300 Turkish Liras could be imposed for excessive prices, and fines ranging from 1,439,300 to 17,271,600 Turkish Liras could be imposed for hoarding attempts. HOW TO REPORT EXCESSIVE PRICING? Trade Minister Ömer Bolat stated that all fundamental sectors, especially food, are closely monitored ahead of the month of Ramadan. Bolat emphasized the efforts by the Ministry to ensure fair, competitive, and stable market operations, stating: “Our inspections to prevent the negative impacts of manipulative price increases in the market will continue without slowing down in the coming days. If necessary, additional measures will be promptly implemented by our Ministry. In this regard, citizens can report excessive pricing and hoarding attempts related to essential food and necessity items directly to our Ministry or the provincial directorates of trade through CİMER, e-Government, the Unfair Price Increase Complaint System (HFA) mobile application. We stand behind all kinds of market inspection activities and always stand by our citizens. We are intensifying our inspection activities even more during the month of Ramadan, striving for this blessed month to be spent in the best way possible.”