Toy prices in Turkey inflates by 150 pct in two years

Toy prices in Turkey have increased by 150% in the last two years due to the worsening inflation, the exchange rate crisis, and high taxes on imported products. Many families stated that they could no longer buy the toys they used to buy.

Monday October 09 2023 03:41 pm

Pelin Akdemir / Gazete Duvar

Raging inflation, fluctuating exchange rates, and high customs taxes have contributed to significant price increases in the toy sector in Turkey, causing families to think twice before buying toys for their children.

Şeyma Batman from Deep Poverty Network noted that it became almost impossible to see age-appropriate educational toys for children in households living in conditions of deep poverty.

Turkey’s hunger threshold reached 13,334 Turkish liras ($486) in September, surpassing the minimum wage (11,402 liras, $416) three months in a row, data from the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (Türk-İş) revealed.

Tradesmen stated that toy prices have increased by 150 percent in two years. While the price of a toy car was 60 liras on average before, it is now approximately 130 liras. The price of a plush dog increased from 120 liras to 220 liras.

A shopkeeper attributed the rising toy prices to their connection with the dollar, increased raw material costs, and high taxes, especially since most toys are imported from China.

They explained that a toy they currently sell for 150 liras costs 250 liras in wholesalers, with prices continuing to rise daily. This trend has persisted for the past 3-4 months.

The shopkeepers also noted that even though domestic alternatives may be cheaper, they were not preferred because they were not as high in quality as those produced in abroad.

On the other hand, families complained that the toys their children wanted ranged from 400 to 500 liras, and they had to think twice before purchasing the toys they used to buy.

Mustafa Kemal Temur, President of Bursa Recyclers Solidarity Association and also a second-hand toy seller, pointed out that families now prefer second-hand toys more.

"There are families who cannot even buy things from my second-hand toy shop. Families earning minimum wage are already struggling if they also pay rent. However, they are children, they do not understand the household budget,” Temur added.

Batman from Deep Poverty Network noted, "Parents bring their children relatively intact toys they find in the rubbish. It is possible to see toys made of empty bottles, detergent boxes, egg boxes, plastic, rope, and fabric."

Mothers reported that their preschool-age children could not wait to go to primary school and were very happy to play with the toys in the classroom, according to Batman.

Batman also mentioned that there are not enough playgrounds and parks for children, especially in big cities like Istanbul. In addition to hygiene problems for children playing on the streets, the presence of vehicle traffic poses a great danger.