Tea Prices Rise in Turkish Coffeehouses; Tea Increases by 5 Lira

Following economic fluctuations and rising operating costs in Turkey, new reports from Sakarya province indicate that tea prices in public places will face a significant jump. According to a report by the local media outlet "Haberlisin," a new tariff has been set for tea houses and coffeehouses, under which the price of a glass of tea will increase by 5 Lira. [1]

Details of the Price Increase in Sakarya The Sakarya Coffeehouse Owners Union has announced that due to the continuous increase in operational costs, there is no choice but to update prices. According to this new tariff, the price of tea in small tea houses (Çay ocakları) and traditional coffeehouses (Kahvehaneler), which was previously around 15 Lira, will now reach 20 Lira. This 5 Lira increase means more pressure on the daily budget of citizens for whom tea is considered a basic and social commodity. [1][3]

Third Wave of Tea Price Hikes by ÇAYKUR This price increase at the retail and coffeehouse level is directly related to the macro decisions of the state-owned company ÇAYKUR. On July 6, 2026, ÇAYKUR increased the price of dry tea for the third time this year. [2] By implementing a new 15% increase, the company has brought the total increase in dry tea prices over the past three months to approximately 45.5%. [3] This growth in raw material prices immediately reflected in the approved price lists of the chambers of tradesmen.

Economic Pressures on Business Owners Coffeehouse owners believe that the 5 Lira increase only covers a portion of their costs. In addition to the price of dry tea, increases in the prices of sugar, electricity, gas, and rent are also major factors behind this hike. In other cities like Bursa, similar tariffs have been approved, raising tea prices in some cafes up to 52.5 Lira, but in the traditional coffeehouses of Sakarya, an effort has been made to balance business profitability and public purchasing power with a 5 Lira increase. [1][2]

Tea: An Expensive Drink for Citizens The coffeehouse culture in Turkey is deeply linked to the consumption of low-cost tea. With the price of a glass of tea reaching the 20 Lira mark, many retirees and workers, who see coffeehouses as their only recreational center, are worried about their limited presence in these places. Economic experts predict that given the inflation rate in July 2026, the possibility of another tariff change before the end of the year is not unexpected. [2][3]