The increases in sacrificial animal prices exceeded inflation: Inflation is not 70 percent, it is 170 percent.

The increases in sacrificial animal prices are determined by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) as 69.80 percent; It exceeded the annual inflation announced by the Inflation Research Group (ENAG) as 124.35 percent. In Ankara, cattle sacrificial prices increased by 238 percent and sheep sacrificial prices increased by 300 percent. While cattle prices go up to 220 thousand TL, small cattle are waiting for buyers at 15-20 thousand TL. Köroğlu Dağdelen, a breeder from Kars, said, “Most of the people only come to ask. They return empty-handed. Their purchasing power is very low.” Cumali Izol, a producer from Şanlıurfa, said, “This country is of no use to us. What happens always happens to farmers and livestock breeders.”

Two weeks before Eid al-Adha, breeders are trying to sell their animals at the sacrifice market established in Mühye District of Ankara’s Çankaya district. In a market where there are almost no customers, breeders are worried that the costs are high and the animals will remain in their hands.

TÜİK announced the annual inflation in April as 69.80 percent; ENAG, composed of independent economists, announced it as 124.35 percent. TurkStat reported April food inflation as 68.5 percent. Annual inflation for May will be announced at 10:00 on Monday, June 3. The minimum wage in Turkey is still 17 thousand 2 TL, and the lowest pension is 10 thousand TL…

Cattle PRICES REACH UP TO 220 THOUSAND TL

The increases in sacrificial animal prices overtook the annual inflation announced by both TUIK and ENAG. In Ankara, cattle sacrificial prices increased by 238 percent and sheep sacrificial prices increased by 300 percent compared to last year. While cattle sacrificial animals were sold for 65-70 thousand TL last year, this year the prices are up to 220 thousand TL. While small cattle sacrificial animals were sold for 5-6 thousand TL last year, this year the price of sacrificial animals varies between 15-20 thousand TL.

DİYANET’S SACRIFICATION FEE EXCEEDED TURKSTAT INFLATION

President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş announced the price of sacrificing animals by proxy for 2024 as 11 thousand 750 liras in the country and 4 thousand 750 liras abroad. Thus, Diyanet’s sacrificial sacrifice price increased by 97.47 percent compared to last year, exceeding TÜİK’s annual inflation.

In 2023, the cost of sacrificial animal sacrifice was 5 thousand 950 TL in the country and 2 thousand 750 TL abroad. While annual inflation was 64.77 percent in 2023, the increase in the sacrifice price was 164.45 percent, breaking the record of the last 4 years. In the last four years, the Presidency of Religious Affairs increased the price of sacrificial animals below inflation only in 2021. While the annual inflation was 36.08 in 2021, the increase in the price of sacrificial animal sacrifice was 15.38 percent.

Pointing out that they cannot make sales and the costs are very high, the producers spoke to ANKA News Agency.

Köroğlu Dağdelen, a breeder from Kars, stated that the average sacrificial animal prices start from 100 thousand TL and go up to 220 thousand TL.

“MOST OF THE PEOPLE COME ONLY TO ASK QUESTIONS. THEY RETURN EMPTY”

“It is very difficult for both the seller and the buyer. People’s purchasing power is very weak. We came from Kars, 1,300 kilometers away. We work hard to raise these animals until they are 2-3 years old and bring them here. We raise animals to get the reward of our labor, but when we come here, we cannot see that demand.” Nowadays, most of the people come only to ask. Their purchasing power is very low. We also feel sad when they want to buy a sacrifice, but we cannot give it because the costs are too high. difficult.”

Underlining that not all cattle can be sold, Dağdelen said:

“MOST OF THEM WILL TAKE BACK THEIR ANIMALS”

“Livestock farming is at the point of extinction throughout Turkey. There is little support for livestock farming. Since the costs are very high, animals are sold at very high prices. One feed is currently 500 TL. Sacrifice sales are very weak. Most of them will take their animals back. If they cannot take them back, most of them will make a loss and go bankrupt. “They will give up on this job and say ‘I won’t do this job anymore’.”

“I BELIEVE THAT IF THE STATE SUPPORTS SHEPHERDS AND FOOD, IT WILL HELP THE ECONOMY”

Dağdelen said, “If I buy the feed for the animal for 200 TL instead of 500 TL, if I want 160 thousand TL for the animal, I will automatically ask for 120 thousand TL through bargaining. Why is this caused? It is due to the high costs. The state does not bring animals from outside, but to the shepherd, “I believe that if he supports the oath, it will definitely revive the economy,” he said.

“WE PULLED THE MARKET FURTHER DOWN”

Dağdelen, who had to raise the prices of sacrificial animals by 169 percent compared to last year, said, “Last year, we were selling a 650-kilogram calf for 65-70 thousand TL. Now we want around 170-175 thousand TL for this animal. This is flexible. The market is very stagnant. Our aim is “We are not making a high profit from this, we have reduced the market even further, we are making very small profits on top of it,” he said.

Stating that he does not believe the inflation data announced by TÜİK, Köroğlu said:

“IF THEY DO NOT WANT ANIMAL HUSBANDRY TO END, SHEPHERD AND FEED SUPPORT SHOULD BE GIVEN”

“It is absolutely not true. We are involved in it. It is already rising because the costs are high. If the cost is low and there is support for breeders and farmers, their costs can drop by 70 percent. It will definitely decrease. It would be great if shepherd support is also given. If they do not want livestock farming to end, shepherds, feed support “While hay was 30 kuruş, now it is 3.5-4 TL per kilo. We believe that the prices will decrease if these supports are given.”

Cumali İzol, a breeder from Şanlıurfa, stated that sheep sacrificial prices vary between 15-20 thousand TL and said:

“EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO THE FARMERS AND ANIMAL keeper”

“The price varies depending on the quality. There are sacrificial animals for 15 thousand TL and 17 thousand TL. Last year we were selling them for 5-6 thousand TL. This year it is very expensive compared to last year. It is extremely expensive. Feed and barley are expensive. Urfa We paid 40 thousand TL for transportation to bring animals from here. This country is of no use to us. There are many problems for farmers and livestock. Last year, we were selling the best quality goods for 15 thousand TL. thousand TL. Think how much it has risen.”

“OUR WORK IS NOT GOOD. IT IS UP TO GOD”

Izol said, “Our people need to focus on animal husbandry and receive financial support. Animals should not come from outside. We are forced to do this job even though it does not save us. What will we do if we do not do this job? First of all, we are used to this job. Our business is not good. It is up to God.”

“DEMAND SEEMS TOO LOW”

Hakan Yiğitalp, who came from Iğdır to Ankara to sell sacrificial animals, said, “The price of sacrificial animals varies between 120-200 thousand TL depending on their weight and length. The demand seems to be very low at the moment. Since the costs increased due to feed prices, we had to raise the prices. Last year “There is a price difference of almost half, more than 100 percent,” he said.

“INFLATION IS NOT 70 PERCENT, IT IS 170 PERCENT”

Criticizing the annual inflation announced by TUIK as 69.80 percent, Yiğitalp said, “Officially, it is, but normally it is not 70 percent, it is 170 percent. We feel the inflation very much. When we bought the feed last year, we were buying it for 300 TL. Now we buy it for 600-700 TL.” “Last year, when the truck arrived, it was 20-25 thousand TL. Now it is 50-60 thousand TL. However, the price increase seems to be 70 percent,” he said.

“FARMERS AND PRODUCERS NEED TO BE SUPPORTED”

Stating that producers do not keep animals because costs have increased, Yiğitalp said, “What happens is that it comes to slaughter. That’s why there is a decrease in meat production. Costs must decrease. Feed, transportation, etc. Since all of them are fuel and come in dollars, this must decrease. Support should be given to farmers and producers. “That seems a little difficult too,” he said.