Turkey’s competition authority said on Thursday it has launched investigations into 29 companies, including supermarket chains, for extraordinary pricing of hygiene, cleaning and food products during the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reported.
The investigations were launched after a month-long analysis of pricing trends, and there were “serious indications” some of the companies had violated competition laws with their prices, it said in a statement.
Social media users have been complaining about the surge in food prices in supermarkets.
Turkey imposed partial and time-limited curfews amid the outbreak, avoiding a total lockdown for what many interpreted as concerns for the economy.
The government has also faced criticism for failing to extend direct financial support to citizens against the impacts of the slowdown in economic activity.