"Sultan of 11 months" Ramadan will start tomorrow. The prices of Ramadan food aid packs, which contain basic food products, have also started to become clear.
While the price of the smallest food parcel was 99 TL last year, the smallest food parcel rose to 229 TL this year, despite the decrease in the quality and number of the products in it.
While the parcels distributed to the needy by aid organizations were 200 liras last year, they increased to 500-600 liras this year.
The month of Ramadan, which is seen as mercy for Muslims, forgiveness in the middle, and salvation from the torment of hell, will begin with fasting on Thursday.
The market price lists of the food parcels prepared specially for this month and containing essential materials such as oil, sugar, flour and tomato paste have been announced.
It was observed that the prices of food parcels, which were offered in three different options, increased two or three times compared to the previous year.
While the average price of the smallest food parcel was 99 liras in the last month of Ramadan, it went on sale for 229 liras despite the decrease in the quality and number of the products in it.
Thus, the price of the smallest Ramadan parcel increased by 150 percent.
On the other hand, while the price of the food box, which is described as a luxury Ramadan food aid packs and contains 33 products, was 289 liras last year, it is offered for sale at 594 liras, despite the decrease in three products this year.
The reason for the exorbitant increase in Ramadan food aid packs in a year is shown as food inflation.
AID ASSOCIATIONS ALSO HAD TO INCREASE
During the month of Ramadan, the prices of Ramadan food aid packs announced by charity organizations that distribute food parcels to the needy with the donations of charitable citizens also increased.
While the prices of food parcels prepared for millions of people in need of help, both at home and abroad, were around 200 liras on average last year, they almost doubled the price of food packages and reached the levels of 500-600 liras.
DIFFERENT FROM THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTANCE, BECOME A SALES TECHNIQUE
With the increase in food prices, the President of the Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen of Turkey, Bendevi Palandöken, reacted by saying that Ramadan food aid packs have ceased to be a charity and have become a sales technique, and stated that commercial ethics are needed to ensure price stability.
Expressing that citizens visit the market and search for prices, Palandöken said, "Ramadan food aid packs have now gone from helping each other and become a sales technique. If philanthropists give cash aid to the needy during this period, people will at least meet the needs of their houses and pay their bills."