Food sales declined in February amid high food inflation

Turkey's retail sales surged 6.2 percent in February compared to the same month last year, accordig to Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) released yesterday (April 13).

Non-food sales, excluding automotive fuel, rose 12.6 percent year on year.

However, sales of food, beverages, and tobacco, as well as automotive gasoline, fell by 0.6 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively.

The annual food inflation rate was 70 percent in March and over 64 percent in February, according to official statistics.

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Among non-food items, textile, apparel, and footwear sales rose the most, climbing 31.2 percent, followed by medical goods and cosmetics, which increased 16.2 percent.

Sales by mail order and the internet rose by 20.7 percent year on year in February.

On a monthly basis, Turkey's retail sales volume rose by 0.5 percent in the month.​​​​​​​

Industrial production

Calendar-adjusted industrial production in Turkey soared 13.3 percent in February on a yearly basis, TurkStat data showed.

All sub-indices backed the index this month, especially mining and quarrying, along with manufacturing.

The manufacturing and mining and quarrying indices rose by 14.4 percent and 6.1 percent year on year in February, respectively.

The supply index for electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning was also up by 4.9 percent in the month.

TurkStat's data showed that the country's industrial production also increased on a monthly basis, by 4.4 percent. (VK)