LOCAL COMPANIES IN ESKIŞEHIR CAN NO LONGER ACCESS LOCALLY PRODUCED SUGAR

At a recent meeting where ETO member pastry, dessert, and bakery manufacturers discussed their sectoral issues, they expressed that, besides skyrocketing costs, they are unable to purchase sugar produced in Eskişehir. As a result, they have been forced to procure sugar at exorbitant prices from supermarkets.

ETO member pastry, dessert, and bakery producers came together to assess their sectoral issues and demands. ETO President Metin Güler and Mehmet Çakmak, a sector representative in the assembly, also attended the meeting. Producers conveyed their sector’s challenges to President Güler, noting that the rising costs in all areas—from oil and flour to electricity, natural gas, packaging, and personnel expenses—are straining their operations. Representatives stated that it’s impossible to reflect these rising costs in product prices and emphasized that they cannot access sugar produced locally in Eskişehir.

"We’re producing with sugar purchased from supermarkets"

Manufacturers indicated that they have used sugar produced at the Eskişehir Sugar Factory in their production for years but could not obtain it this year. Producers noted that they are unable to access the 50-kilogram bags of locally manufactured sugar and highlighted that Eskişehir-produced sugar is being sold on the black market at high prices. ETO members, who previously produced using sugar bought in bulk, now have to rely on smaller supermarket supplies and are seeking support from officials to resolve the issue.

"Inaccessibility to locally produced sugar is unacceptable"

Listening to the demands of members producing pastries, desserts, and bakery goods, ETO President Metin Güler stated they will reach out to relevant institutions to resolve these sectoral issues. He emphasized that it is unacceptable for local businesses and manufacturers in Eskişehir not to have access to the sugar produced locally. Güler added that he will discuss the issue with authorities and bureaucrats and plans to raise these concerns at the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) level, underscoring the importance of listening to producers to keep the wheels of the economy turning.