TÜRK-İŞ: Hunger Threshold Rises to 19,271 TL, Poverty Threshold Reaches 62,772 TL

According to a report by TÜRK-İŞ, the hunger threshold in Turkey increased to 19,271 TL in August 2024, while the poverty threshold rose to 62,772 TL. The report highlighted that in the past three months, the increase in the Hunger-Poverty Threshold was calculated at 0.19%, mainly due to stable or slightly increasing food prices.

The research, conducted by TÜRK-İŞ experts who surveyed popular supermarkets across the country and various public markets in Ankara, showed an increase of 37 TL compared to July. In the first five months of the year, the hunger threshold saw a significant rise of 3,921 TL, with a more moderate increase of 292 TL over the past three months.

 Significant Price Increases in Basic Foods

Some notable price increases in basic food items during the first eight months of the year include:

– Green lentils: 20.59%

– Red lentils: 24.03%

– Dried beans: 12.06%

– Chickpeas: 20.54%

– Rice: 16.74%

– Cheese: 26.53%

– Yogurt: 24.98%

– Beef: 27.42%

– Lamb: 36.99%

– Butter: 21.52%

– Spices: 26.30%

– Black olives: 24.14%

– Honey: 23.35%

– Molasses: 24.01%

 Cost of Living for a Single Worker

The cost of living for a single worker has also risen to approximately 25,000 TL per month.

 Ongoing Food Inflation

The report also provided insights into the ongoing food inflation:

– The minimum monthly food expenditure for a family of four in Ankara increased by 0.19% compared to the previous month.

– The eight-month change rate was 33.53%.

– The year-over-year change rate was calculated at 57.99%, with the annual average increase at 77.66%.

 Detailed Price Changes in Food Categories

– Dairy Products: There was no significant change in milk and cheese prices, but yogurt prices increased by 1.83%.

– Meat, Poultry, and Fish: Beef prices increased by 1.44%, and lamb prices by 2.95%. The price of chicken increased by 7% after a drop in July. Egg prices rose by 12.69% this month, totaling a 24.09% increase over the past two months.

– Vegetables and Fruits: Prices of summer vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers decreased slightly, while the prices of salad greens remained stable. The average price of vegetables was 29.56 TL per kilogram, and fruits averaged 60.83 TL per kilogram.

– Grains and Breads: Prices for products like rice, flour, and semolina remained stable this month after a 3-5% increase in the previous month.

– Oils and Fats: Prices for olive oil, butter, and margarine remained stable, with a 4.49% increase in sunflower oil prices.

– Other Food Items: Spices saw no price changes, while the price of tea increased by 10.87% this month, totaling a 19.87% increase over the past two months. Sugar, jam, and molasses saw slight increases, with honey prices rising by 6.69%. Prices for salt and tomato paste remained stable.