The article highlights the significant increase in the prices of imported herbs and spices in Turkey, particularly during the winter months. These products, including ginger, turmeric, cloves, and cinnamon, are largely imported from countries such as India, Vietnam, and Madagascar due to Turkey's inability to grow them. The price hike is primarily due to the exchange rate fluctuations, increased transportation costs, and the trend among domestic producers to prioritize exports over local sales, leading to an average price increase of 80 percent for these commodities. Herbalist Koray Özkılıç emphasizes the challenges this situation poses for retailers and consumers alike, with some products seeing price increases as high as 100 percent. The high cost of domestic products and the scarcity of some items further exacerbate the problem, causing significant financial strain for both businesses and consumers.