Rising exports are bringing hope to Turkish poultry producers and to the poultry sector, which has been hard hit by falling domestic demand due to an economic depression in global markets, according to Todays Zaman.Turkey's poultry exports in the first quarter of 2009 increased by 254% over the same period the year before. In 2008 the sector's exports stood at $87 million. While exports of chicken rose 204% to $26.2 million, exports of turkey climbed 371% to $498,000 in the same period.
Turkey's largest poultry exports in first quarter of 2009 went to Iraq, with $19 million, a 16.6% increase over same period of 2008. Iraq was followed by Tajikistan with $1.7 million in exports, Azerbaijan with $1.7 million, Vietnam with $1.1 million and Congo with $551,000.
However Turkey's poultry exports to the Far East declined by 7 percent to $5.8 million in the same period. China was among the biggest importers of poultry, particularly chicken feet.
Poultry Meat Producers and Breeders Association (BESD-BİR) Secretary-General Yüce Canoler explained that this record increase in poultry exports was primarily due to demand from Iraq.
"Iraq used to import poultry from Brazil until recently, when they started to face problems with delivery. Following this, they have turned to Turkey. We provide the Iraqi market with fresh poultry, and they choose to buy from us instead of purchasing frozen goods from Brazil. Proximity is another important factor," he said, adding, "We hope poultry trade between the two countries will continue improving".
Canoler also confirmed that they are planning to open up to the other Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "We see the Iraqi market as a door opening to the Arab world. We have achieved enough success and experience in promoting and popularising Turkish poultry goods in Iraq. I believe the other Middle East and Gulf countries will like our products once they see the quality we offer," he noted, adding that they hope the Ministry of Agriculture will support their efforts to this end. Stressing that Saudi Arabia and the UAE import a total of 700,000 tons of poultry per year on average, Turkey, as a Muslim country, has an advantage over countries such as Brazil in these markets because they buy only buy halal meat - meat slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law.
