The government is set to allow potato and onion imports in certain amounts and from certain countries in an effort to curb prices, which have recently skyrocketed, Hürriyet Daily News reported.
Two of the most commonly used vegetables in Turkish cuisine, potato and onion, become more expensive both monthly and annually, and the food prices, in general, are on the rise in Turkey.
The dramatic rise in basic food products including potato, onion and milk products, has stirred public debate on social media and drawn criticism from people.
"We will take measures to prevent dramatic price increases in some food products, including onions. We will allow onion and potato imports from certain countries and in certain amounts," Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said in a televised interview on June 21.
In Istanbul, the cost of one kilogram of onion rose 212 percent to 6.5 Turkish Liras ($1.4) over the past month. One kilo of onion was sold for around 1.3 liras last June. Potato prices also rose to 6 liras ($1.3) in June, a 94 percent month-on-month increase. One kilo of potato was around 1.5 liras last June.
There have also been sharp increases in almost all milk products, with butter seeing the highest hike.
