Birol Küle, the President of the Competition Authority, has revealed that they have conducted numerous investigations into the red meat sector. Küle stated, “We will impose administrative fines amounting to 10% of the turnover on businesses violating competition rules.” Addressing the evaluations of the Competition Authority’s efforts in the red meat sector, Küle highlighted receiving numerous complaints and reports indicating that companies in the sector have collectively set product prices, colluded to raise prices, or restricted supply. He mentioned, “We are conducting simultaneous investigations into the red meat sector and we have significant findings on this matter.” Despite ongoing investigations, Küle issued a warning to businesses continuing to violate regulations in the sector, stating, “Based on the authority granted by our Competition Board’s law, we will impose administrative fines amounting to 10% of the turnover on businesses violating competition rules. Indeed, I would like to remind you that in 2023, we imposed a significant fine on a leading company in the sector.” Emphasizing that ensuring citizens have access to more affordable and higher-quality products is their goal, Küle noted that the red meat sector is critical in many aspects when it comes to consumer welfare. Küle stressed, “No concession will be made from any penalty.” He underscored the irreplaceable role of red meat as a protein source for the healthy and balanced nutrition of citizens, adding, “On the other hand, red meat is interrelated with sectors such as livestock, feed, milk, and dairy products, and retail, and therefore plays a pivotal role in many sectors. Competition issues in one of these markets affect other markets as well, and these problems escalate with a snowball effect. Therefore, we attach great importance to establishing competition in the red meat sector from this perspective. We consider it essential that all businesses operating in this market determine their prices independently from each other, in line with competitive parameters, and we emphasize this persistently. As part of our commitment to standing against any competitive concerns affecting citizens’ welfare, I warn businesses to eliminate competition problems in this sector. No concessions will be made against identified violations.”