Turkey’s state-run meat firm eyes expansion opportunities

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

The EBK, which runs its own stores and 77 franchises, plans to raise the products it sells from the current 66 to 70 in an effort to become more competitive. AA photo

Turkey’s Meat and Fish Institution (EBK) wants to become more competitive in the market with a broader product range.

According to a statement by the Food, Agriculture and Husbandry Ministry, which owns the EBK, the number of items sold at the franchises of the institution will be raised to 70 from the current 66.

The EBK was excluded from a list of state assets to be privatized in 2005 and today the ministry is working to make the body a benchmark brand with stores across the county. 

The EBK runs its own stores along with 77 franchises, the statement said. 

Several international missions, including those from France, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Australia, have visited the state-of-the-art production facilities of the EBK to share experience, it said. 

Some $20 million was spent on the modernization of the production facilities. 

The EBK announced early last year that it would open 100 franchise branches in 17 provinces, but Istanbul business lagged behind.