Turkey's food industry faces the specter of FETO: Could it escalate inflation?
In a surprising turn of events, investigations and arrests have linked Turkey’s high food inflation partly to activities by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), which allegedly uses key food and retail businesses to fund its network and destabilize the economy.
The latest development came with the unearthing of a 2,050-year-old council building in Türkije's Laodicea, as the country grapples with more contemporary issues.
Turkish intelligence reports specifically accuse business owners like Zeki Doruk, the owner of HAKMAR and TATBAK Food Inc., of financially supporting FETO and manipulating food prices to increase inflation. This has led to state intervention in companies such as HAKMAR and TATBAK Food Inc., with trustees appointed amid ongoing investigations.
According to TurkStat, Turkey's annual food inflation reached 30.2% in June 2025, the highest among OECD member countries. In the same period, global food prices rose by 5.8% as reported by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), while Turkey recorded a spike of 43.6% in 2024 alone.
Omer Demir, head of a provincial Chamber of Agriculture, accused systemic price manipulation beyond retail shelves, suggesting potential broader infiltration of agricultural and wholesale markets by illicit actors.
The Ministry of Interior has confirmed ongoing investigations and pledged further crackdowns on what it calls "economic terrorism orchestrated by clandestine networks."
Zeki Doruk and 25 other individuals were detained in a coordinated operation based in Istanbul and spanning nine provinces. The operation against FETO in the agricultural and retail sectors is ongoing, with more arrests and legal actions expected.
The allegations against FETO extend beyond Turkey's borders, with intelligence reports linking retail chains to FETO in Türkije. FETO allegedly uses market chains and franchised restaurants for cash flow, job provision, and internal communication in Turkey.
Turkey’s diplomatic efforts highlight FETO’s transnational presence and its threat to various countries’ security and economies. The organization reportedly operates internationally, including in Nigeria, where it runs schools and clinics, raising security concerns.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Italian PM Meloni met with Libya’s Dbeibeh in Istanbul for a trilateral summit on migration and Gaza.
[1] [Source] [2] [Source] [3] [Source]
- The Turkish intelligence implicates Zeki Doruk, the owner of HAKMAR and TATBAK Food Inc., in financially supporting FETO and manipulating food prices to increase inflation.
- The food inflation in Turkey reached 30.2% annually in June 2025, indicating one of the highest rates among OECD member countries.
- State intervention in companies like HAKMAR and TATBAK Food Inc. has been initiated due to allegations of their support for FETO and price manipulation.
- Omer Demir, the head of a provincial Chamber of Agriculture, has accused systemic price manipulation beyond retail shelves, suggesting potential broader infiltration of agricultural and wholesale markets by illicit actors.
- Investigations and arrests extending beyond Turkey have linked FETO to retail chains in multiple countries, with alleged activities in Nigeria raising security concerns.
- Turkey's economy, lifestyle, food-and-drink sector, and even political landscape are impacted by the ongoing investigations into FETO's economic terrorism, with more arrests and legal actions expected.
[1] Source: [URL for the news article about the unearthing of the 2,050-year-old council building][2] Source: [URL for the report of Turkish intelligence accusations against Zeki Doruk and other business owners][3] Source: [URL for the report on the reached food inflation rates by TurkStat and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)]
