Organic scam on eggs, they sell for five times more

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Lerato Khumalo

According to the December report of the Turkish Statistical Institute, the price increase champion was eggs. The price of eggs increased by 12.1 percent compared to November. Industry representatives say that the price of eggs increased due to bird flu rumors in November and that there is currently no problem in egg supply. Producers pointed out that although there is a difference between white and brown eggs in terms of chicken breed, there is no difference in terms of quality, and pointed out that some opportunists sell brown eggs at exorbitant prices under the name of “organic”. İbrahim Afyon, President of the Central Union of Egg Producers, stated that traders were looking for new suppliers after the bird flu started in November. Afyon also pointed out that opportunists are trying to create the perception that “there are no eggs”. According to Afyon, price increases are not due to egg production, but to the perception created and the price gap in the markets.

The veterinarian we spoke to, Mr. Ahmet, shared the information that the eggs of chickens of Asian origin are brown, while the eggs of chickens of Mediterranean coastal origin are white.

UNCONTROLLED INCREASE

Providing information about the products marketed at 5 times the price under the name of organic, Afyon said: “In December, the decline of other commodities or the lack of price increases pushed the egg to the fore. After the price of the egg decreased recently, the price of the egg rose and actually reached its own value, which appeared to be a price increase. These increases Actually, the increases were in October. There was a slight increase in November, but our price did not change or increase in December. Bird flu-driven price increases occurred in Octoberwas. There was an uncontrolled increase in October, and this was reflected in November, and the 12 percent increase belongs to this period. “There is actually no increase in December, although prices remain constant on the producer side, we seem to be the price increase champions.”

DON’T FALL FOR PERCEPTION GAMES

Explaining the solution suggestions, Afyon said, “Consumers should not be fooled by the perception games of opportunists. If the citizen says he wants what is affordable and goes after it, prices will also fall. All eggs are actually the same. Dirty brown eggs have to go to the food industry, they are bought at half the price and sold at 5 times the price. The consumer should not demand this. “To understand that the product is organic, they can ask for a certificate or call Alo Gıda 174,” he said.

Organic scam on eggs, they sell them for five times more - Picture: 2
Organic eggs start from 10 TL each and can go up to 20 TL.

THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM

TÜKONFED Food Inspection Specialist Nurten Sırma stated that citizens have a perception that “dark color is of high quality” and said: “This is wrong information. Because of this perception, fraud is committed and consumers are deceived. The difference between the color is due to the type of chicken, there is no difference in terms of quality or nutritional value. “In general, brown is sold more expensively, and this is all about meeting the consumer’s expectations,” he said.

LOVE OF COLOR

Adding that the price increases are calculated on packages of 30, Sırma said, “The number of businesses that have received the real organic certificate in Turkey is very few. Some companies obtain an organic certificate and use it constantly. Unfortunately, inspections are few. Even half of the eggs sold as organic are not organic. “Consumers should give up their love for brown and let color perception not mislead us,” he said.

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