Promoting Agricultural Value Chains:
In the OIC Member Countries
82
5.3 The red meat value chain in Turkey
Turkey is one of the largest producers of red neat (cattle, sheep, goats and buffalo) in the
Middle East and North Africa regarding the livestock population. Only Iran has a larger
quantity of sheep and goats in its region, but Turkey is the largest producer of cattle and
buffalo (FAOSTAT, 2015). below illustrates the substantial increase in livestock
numbers since 2009, particularly cattle livestock. With large tracts of agricultural land not
operating to its full potential, there remains an opportunity for boosting production.
The majority of red meat is produced and consumed domestically. The red meat sector is
growing, with demand driven by population growth and changing consumption patterns.
Whereas Turkey’s economic growth is not entirely attributable to its agricultural sector, it is
playing an important role, and its modernisation and increased productivity is vital to Turkey’s
future prosperity.
About half of the total herd stock (cattle) is located in the eastern regions, where there is a
heavy concentration of native breeds. While these can adapt to the harsher specific climate in
that part of Turkey, they are less productive than animals in the west. Up to 70 percent of the
pure breeds are located in the Marmara, Aegean, Central North and Central South regions.
About half of the sheep are also in the eastern regions. The Mediterranean region holds 25
percent of the goat-herd, where they adapt to the inferior vegetation conditions (IPARD, 2013).
Figure 5-9 Red meat production in Turkey, 1993-2013 4
Source: FAOSTAT, 2015
4 This figure is split in two given the alteration to the data collection of red meat statistics in Turkey after 2010. Data on meat
has not been included in annual series since 2010, because it has been published through monthly News Releases (starting
from January 2010). Starting from January 2012, data on red meat production has been published quarterly. The data
collection method was altered, with a username and password given to every participating holding by TurkStat. The
holdings enter their data electronically every month to the data entry system established by TurkStat.
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Cattle Buffaloes Sheep Goats
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