Aug 2, 2026, 11:30 PM UTC

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce reports retail price shifts for July

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce data shows pointed peppers saw a 103.57 percent price surge in July, while cherries recorded the biggest drop.

The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO) has published its retail price movement report for July, detailing inflation trends across key consumer goods in Turkey's largest city. According to the data, out of 336 main items tracked in the city's index, 199 products recorded price increases compared to the previous month, while 68 items registered declines.

Pointed peppers experienced the sharpest price jump, surging by 103.57 percent month-on-month. In contrast, cherries marked the largest price decrease over the same period. The figures reflect ongoing shifts in seasonal consumer pricing across Istanbul's retail markets.

Sources: Anadolu Ajansı (Anadolu Agency).

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South American drug cartels open new cocaine smuggling route to Spain via West Africa

South American drug cartels are establishing new cocaine routes into Spain via West Africa following U.S. crackdowns in the Caribbean, with 30 tons recently seized.

South American drug traffickers are increasingly rerouting cocaine shipments to European markets, utilizing a transit corridor that runs through West Africa into Spain. The shift in smuggling tactics comes as heightened maritime interdiction efforts by the United States in the Caribbean pressure traditional smuggling channels heading toward North America.

Traffickers are deploying fast boats to move illicit cargo across the Atlantic and into mainland Europe. Spanish authorities recently intercepted a major shipment involving 30 metric tons of cocaine that had traversed West Africa in June before arriving on the Spanish coast. Despite elaborate logistical planning by organized crime networks, law enforcement seized the illicit cargo before it could enter European distribution networks.

Sources: FAZ.

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German strawberry grower moves production to Morocco over water supply

A strawberry producer in Germany's Münsterland region is relocating part of its operations to Morocco to secure reliable water supplies following dry spells.

A strawberry farm based in Telgte, in Germany's Münsterland region, is transferring a portion of its fruit production to Morocco due to local water supply issues.

Although the Münsterland traditionally records far higher rainfall levels than regions near Agadir on the edge of the Moroccan desert, recent prolonged dry periods in Westphalia have driven the grower to seek alternative growing sites. The decision to relocate highlights shifting weather conditions and resource challenges confronting domestic fruit growers in Western Europe.

Sources: FAZ.