In a written statement released on Sunday, the TSÜMB said members of the union will not supply milk to companies unless a compromise over the minimum sales price is reached. The union accused industrialists of unilaterally reducing milk prices from the previously agreed level of Kr 85 to Kr 72.5 per liter in March.
Manyas Milk Producers Union President Mehmet Karaman, speaking to the Anatolia news agency, stated that in an agreement signed between milk providers and industrialists in the beginning of the year, the price of one liter of milk was set at Kr 85 for the first three months of the year but that this deal was violated unilaterally by companies last month and that payment was made at a price of Kr 72.5 per liter. “We tried to find a compromise with companies, suggesting that the price be Kr 75. But even this demand was rejected since we learnt they are working to reduce it further to Kr 60 in April. This is an unacceptable price,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Independent Milk Platform also announced on Monday that its members across Turkey would commence a 15-day strike unless milk providers reach a compromise over the minimum sales price with companies following a meeting in the western province of Balıkesir.
