The Istanbul Bakers' Association has requested a 25 percent increase in bread prices due to rising costs of flour, electricity, water, and wood, which have led to the closure of around 150 bakeries in Istanbul. President Erdoğan Çetin noted that flour prices surged by 25 percent in the last month, exacerbating financial strains. The proposed price hike to 15 liras for 240 grams of bread aims to alleviate these pressures. Additionally, bakery owners are struggling to meet employee wage demands and find personnel, questioning the sustainability of relying on retired colleagues for support.