Dry Onions Lead Price Hikes in May; Producer-Market Gap Widens

Rising costs and low supply significantly impacted product prices in May, according to Türkiye Ziraat Odaları Birliği (TZOB) General President Şemsi Bayraktar. At the market level, 22 out of 36 monitored products experienced price increases, while 13 saw price decreases, and one remained unchanged. Dry onions topped the list of price hikes, surging by 44.7%, followed by potatoes at 32.7% and lemons at 27.3%. Conversely, the most significant price drops were observed in pointed peppers (-54.3%), strawberries (-34.7%), and lettuce (-33.5%).

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In May, prices increased for 22 of the 36 products monitored in the market, while prices decreased for 13 products. One product saw no change.

At the farm gate, the trend of increasing prices was also evident for several key products. Out of 28 monitored items, 9 saw price increases, 9 decreased, and 10 remained stable. Dry onions again led the increases with a substantial 77.2% rise, followed by potatoes at 45.5% and lemons at 43.8%. The largest price decreases at the farm level were for zucchini (-54.7%), cucumbers (-50.8%), and pointed peppers (-47.4%).

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The products with the largest price increases in the market were dry onions at 44.7%, potatoes at 32.7%, and lemons at 27.3%.

The disparity between producer prices and retail prices remained a notable issue. In May, the largest price difference was recorded for apples, with a markup of 388.5% from farm to market. Carrots followed with a 278.6% difference, and zucchini with a 215.3% difference. This indicates significant markups along the supply chain, impacting the final cost for consumers. Meanwhile, the Services Producer Price Index (H-ÜFE) for April 2026 showed a monthly increase of 3.23%, a four-month increase of 18.17%, and an annual increase of 34.62%.

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At the farm level, the products with the largest price increases were dry onions at 77.2%, potatoes at 45.5%, and lemons at 43.8%.