Istanbul’s inflation accelerates in April, led by clothing price surge
A vendor waits for customers at his stall near the Galata bridge in Istanbul on March 28, 2025. (AFP Photo)
Consumer prices in Istanbul rose by 3.21% in April compared to the previous month, driving the city’s annual inflation rate to 47.21%, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC) reported on Thursday.
In comparison, the city’s monthly inflation rate in March stood at 3.79%, with an annual rate of 46.23%.
According to the ICOC, the rise in the consumer price index (CPI) was largely influenced by seasonal changes in clothing and footwear expenses. Additionally, public price adjustments in certain housing items, market-driven changes in communication, hospitality, and miscellaneous goods and services, as well as seasonal fluctuations in food prices contributed to the increase.
The most significant monthly price hike in April was recorded in the clothing and footwear category, which surged by 13.59%.
Other notable increases were observed in housing (6.66%), communication (5.22%), transportation (3.93%), household goods (3.74%), restaurants and hotels (3.15%), miscellaneous goods and services (3.12%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (2.29%), health (2.13%), culture and entertainment (2.03%), and food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.57%). Education costs remained unchanged.
Textiles lead wholesale price gains in Istanbul
The Wholesale Price Index, which tracks wholesale price movements in the city, rose by 1.46% in April after a 2.3% increase in March.
On an annual basis, wholesale prices rose by 28.85% in April, with the 12-month average increase reaching 43.11%.
Month-over-month, the steepest increase was seen in textiles, which climbed 7.57%. This was followed by raw materials (3.3%), minerals (1.32%), construction materials (0.87%), chemicals (0.53%), fuel and energy (0.48%), and food products (0.13%).
In terms of 12-month averages, the most significant annual increases were recorded in construction materials (86.86%), textiles (69.11%), chemicals (42.57%), food (40.57%), raw materials (33.41%), fuel and energy (32.79%), and minerals (27.18%).
