Poultry sector probe sees a step back: Court suspends administrator appointments for 4 companies

A Turkish court has halted the appointment of administrators for four major poultry companies, marking a significant reversal in an investigation into alleged unfair pricing practices. Gedik Piliç, Erpiliç, Keskinoğlu, and Lezita had challenged the decision to place them under administrative oversight.

Journalist Ali Ekber Yıldırım reported that the court's decision effectively ends the administrator measure for these four prominent producers. This move comes after the companies lodged appeals against the oversight, which was part of a broader investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

The investigation initially focused on claims of unjustified price hikes and market manipulation within the white meat sector. Numerous executives were detained in operations centered in Istanbul, and administrator measures were imposed on a total of 13 companies, including Banvit, Akpiliç, and Şenpiliç, among others.

Expectations are now high that similar appeals from other companies under investigation will be reviewed in the coming days, potentially leading to the complete removal of administrator appointments across the sector. The white meat industry has previously faced scrutiny from the Competition Authority, which in 2025 imposed substantial fines on 13 companies for market-distorting practices.