Natural gas prices increased in July; 24.6 percent for residences, 7.86 percent for industry

With the new increase in natural gas prices, an average increase of 24.6 percent was realized for residential users and 7.86 percent for industrial users. It was stated that the increase, which will be made in July, will not affect the inflation data for the first 6 months of the year and will not be reflected in the salaries of civil servants, workers and retirees.

Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAŞ) increased natural gas tariffs by 24.6 percent for residential consumers and by an average of 7.86 percent for industrial consumers. The new tariffs came into effect in July.

According to the news in Cumhuriyet, Economist Hakan Kara pointed out that natural gas prices have increased by 149 percent since March 2024, when interest rate increases began.

It was noted that the budget transfer to BOTAŞ has increased in recent months, and a total of 79.4 billion liras were allocated within the scope of "assignment expenses" in the first five months of 2025. According to energy market experts, this development strengthened the expectation of a raise.

The fact that the increase was made in July drew attention. With this timing, the natural gas increase will not be effective in the salary increases of civil servants, workers and retirees calculated based on the inflation data for the January-June period. 6-month CPI data is taken into account in determining the said increases. The inflation rates to be announced by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) today will also clarify the July increases.

It is stated that the price hikes made in industry will cause cost increases and thus increase general inflation. While it is noteworthy that the high rate of increase in housing is applied in the summer months, when consumption is low, it is predicted that citizens will feel the impact of this hike more in the fall and winter months.