Turkey’s poultry exports decline almost half in 2016 amid regional risks: Association

ANKARA

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Turkey’s poultry exports plummeted almost half in 2016 from the 2014 numbers, amid escalating risks in the Middle Eastern markets, said a top sector association. 

The association has called for a new strategy to boost exports, which are key for the sector. 

The head of the Turkish Union of Agricultural Chambers (TZOB), Şemsi Bayraktar, said Turkey exported poultry exports worth $651 million and egg exports worth $401.9 million in 2014. 

“However, the escalating risks in Iraq, Syria and other Middle Eastern markets have hit our exports … Our poultry exports decreased to $361 million and egg exports to $289 million in 2016, lower than the peak 2014 figures,” Bayraktar said. 

He stressed that a new export strategy must be adopted to prevent further losses in the poultry market. 

“There is a growing demand for such products across the globe. We need to use this trend wisely. Our sector has the infrastructure and know-how to be able to make billion dollars of exports. While Brazil and Thailand have managed to significantly increase their poultry exports to Middle East, our exports to our main market are decreasing. This is a fact that needs to be reflected upon,” Bayraktar added.  

He noted that Turkey needs to create new strategies for the Middle Eastern markets, mainly for Saudi Arabia, as well as Africa, Russia and the Far East. 

“We should offer subsidies similar to what Brazil has introduced,” he added.