Throughout the month of Ramadan, meat prices were fixed in 1,750 markets in Istanbul and Ankara. Butchers and restaurant owners stocked up on cheap meat, leaving none for the public. A protocol signed by the Meat and Milk Institution and the Turkey Retailers Federation fixed meat prices during the Ramadan month. In Istanbul, 1,500 member markets and 250 in Ankara are offering meat at a cheaper price than the market. However, this led to another issue. When butchers and restaurant owners bought dozens of kilos of cheap meat, there was none left for the public. As a result, quotas were imposed on meat sales. Market employees are also working extra hours to differentiate between serving the public and selling to restaurants. The protocol signed by the Meat and Milk Institution and the Turkey Retailers Federation fixed meat prices during the Ramadan month. In Istanbul, 1,500, and in Ankara, 250 member markets are offering meat cheaper than the market. However, this created another problem. Restaurant owners and butchers buying large quantities of cheap meat left none for public consumption. As a result, quotas were imposed on meat sales when shelves ran out of meat. MEAT PRICES FIXED IN MARKETS The Food and Necessities Retailers Association (PERDER) announced that member markets would keep meat prices fixed throughout the Ramadan month through a protocol signed with the Meat and Milk Institution. In an effort to prevent exorbitant price hikes and speculation in meat prices, ground beef is sold at 379 lira per kilo and cubed meat at 399 lira per kilo in 1,500 markets in Istanbul and 250 in Ankara.