USDA International Egg and Poultry

Reports » USDA International Egg and Poultry » USDA International Egg and Poultry - 12 September 2012

12 September 2012

USDA International Egg and Poultry - 12 September 2012

Turkey

Turkey is a democratic and secular country located at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East. Besides being a bridge between two continents, Turkey is a financial gateway for the region. Turkey has had ten years of high growth; in 2010, Turkey’s GDP was the 17th largest in the world at $735 billion ($13,400 per capita). In constant prices, annual GDP increased by 8.5% in 2011. The Turkish economy is mainly driven by the service and industry sectors, but the traditional agriculture sector is still important, as it accounts for nearly 30% of total employment.

Turkey’s poultry and egg industries had a good start to 2012 due to a strong domestic demand and increasing exports. According to FAOSTAT, Turkish chicken meat production ranked 11 th in the world in 2010, hen egg production ranked 13 th . The total number of poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese) increased by 1.1% in 2011 compared to the previous year. The number of layers on December 31, 2011 increased 11.3%; the number of broilers, turkeys, ducks and geese declined.

Hen egg production rose 9% in 2011 compared to 2010. Starting in 2010 Turkstat excluded egg production in villages, so comparisons cannot be made with years prior to 2010. Egg production is up 12% for the first six months of 2012 compared to the first half of 2011. Chicken meat production (layer hens and meat hens/broilers) has experienced a steady increase in production over the past few years, growing almost 12% in 2011 compared to 2010.

Turkey’s poultry exports (HS 0207) reached $385.4 million in 2011; Iraq was Turkey’s largest market at $246.1 million followed by Libya at $20.5 million and Hong Kong at $20.1 million. For January-July 2012, total poultry exports totaled $276.0 million. The top three markets were Iraq, which remained the largest market at $191.9 million, Libya at $17.6 million and Iran at $10.1 million.