FMCG Distributors Announce Indefinite Boycott of Turkish Products in India

The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF) has announced an indefinite and complete boycott of all Turkish-origin FMCG goods across India. The decision is effective immediately and includes the removal of Turkish goods from retail shelves, warehouses, and online platforms.

Scope of the Ban

According to AICPDF, the boycott will impact around ₹2,000 crore worth of Turkish FMCG products currently sold in India. These include chocolates, wafers, jams, syrups, tea, coffee, cookies, layered cakes, and packaged sweets. Personal care items such as body washes, wet wipes, skincare, and cosmetics are also included in the boycott.

AICPDF represents over 4.5 lakh distributors and more than 1.3 crore kirana stores across the country.

Trade and Institutional Impact

The boycott follows similar actions by other sectors. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the security clearance of Turkish firm Celebi, which previously handled ground and cargo operations at nine Indian airports. Airlines such as Air India have also raised concerns about IndiGo’s leasing partnership with Turkish Airlines.

Travel platforms have reported changes in customer behaviour. MakeMyTrip stated that bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan dropped by 60%, while cancellations rose by 250% in the past week.

Apparel and Online Retail

According to Reuters, E-commerce platforms such as Myntra and Ajio have stopped selling apparel from Turkish brands like Trendyol, LC Waikiki, and Mavi. These products have either been removed or marked as out of stock on the platforms.

Education Sector Response

Several Indian universities have suspended academic collaborations and student exchange programs with Turkish institutions. These include IIT Bombay, JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, and others.

Fruits and Agricultural Imports

Fruit traders in cities such as Prayagraj and Haridwar have stopped selling Turkish apples and other produce. Earlier, farmers from Himachal Pradesh had also demanded restrictions on Turkish apple imports.

Read more: FMCG Distributors File Petition Against Quick Commerce Platforms

Conclusion

The boycott of Turkish goods has extended across multiple sectors in India, including FMCG, aviation, travel, education, and retail. The measures are currently indefinite and widespread across distribution networks.

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