Cihan Gitak, the manager of a Turkish food company, points out that a liter of olive oil sold in Greece for ten euros costs no less than twenty euros in Turkey. He adds: “My purchases there cost a third of what they would cost here.” He describes the scene in Greek stores, saying, “Turks have invaded Alexandroupolis, and they are discussing prices in cafes after they finish shopping.”
This shift reflects the change in Turkish monetary policy since mid-2023, when President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reinstated Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek to implement a traditional policy based on raising interest rates and curbing inflation. Despite the official slowdown in the pace of price increases, the prices of a basket of food items have risen by 144% since then, prompting the opposition party to accuse the government of pushing Turks to travel abroad “to fill their kitchen cupboards.”
These shopping trips have turned into an organized activity, with Turkish companies operating bus trips to Alexandroupolis for around 50 euros, including transportation costs and visa fees. These trips allow participants the opportunity to shop for hours and buy meat, cheese, and luxury European products. With increasing congestion at border crossings, Gitak says, laughing: “The return trip takes hours in line… but the savings are worth it.” (Al-Sharq)
