TÜRKİYEMBİR President Ülkü Karakuş stated that Turkey holds the first position in the EU and seventh globally in compound feed production. President Karakuş highlighted that our country achieved a production of 27.9 million tons in 2023, surpassing a remarkable 400% increase in compound feed over the last twenty years.
Ülkü Karakuş, President of the Turkish Feed Industrialists Association (TÜRKİYEMBİR), revealed that Turkey’s feed production has surged by 400% over the past 20 years. In an exclusive interview with Parantez Media, Karakuş shared that the country achieved a remarkable milestone of producing 27.9 million tons of compound feed annually in 2023. Representing the Turkish feed industry, Karakuş emphasized, “Turkey stands at the forefront among EU nations and ranks seventh globally with its production of 27.9 million tons of compound feed.”
TÜRKİYEMBİR President Ülkü Karakuş noted that almost all of the compound feed produced in Turkey is consumed domestically. While emphasizing Turkey’s self-sufficiency in compound feed production, Karakuş highlighted the disparity in raw material production. “Although our country is self-sufficient in compound feed production, the same cannot be said for certain feed raw materials. We are compelled to import raw materials used in compound feed, especially oilseeds and meal, some cereals, and by-products. Approximately 45% of the 27.9 million tons of compound feed produced in 2023 was sourced through imports,” Karakuş stated.
Karakuş highlighted the increasing demand for animal food driven by population growth, rural-to-urban migration, and improving economic conditions, emphasizing its impact on compound feed production. During his speech at the 15th TUYEM event on April 18-21, he shared that Turkey ranks 1st in the EU and 7th globally in compound feed production, with 27.9 million tons produced. Consequently, the country’s total turnover in feed production reached $11 billion in 2023. Karakuş, President of TÜRKİYEMBİR, emphasized the challenge of crop production in keeping up with the surge in compound feed production, stating, “While our cereal production has increased by 25% and oilseed production by 90% over the last 20 years, our compound feed production has skyrocketed by approximately 400%. Consequently, the importation of essential raw materials, which are not adequately produced domestically, has become a necessity rather than an option for our sector.”
R&D EFFORTS ESSENTIAL FOR ADDITIVE INDUSTRY
Ülkü Karakuş, the president of TÜRKİYEMBİR, the voice of the Turkish feed sector, highlighted the sector’s significant reliance on foreign sources for feed additives. “Despite being used in small quantities, feed additives play a crucial role in animal nutrition, with 90-95% of their raw materials being imported.”
Emphasizing the use of advanced technology in feed additive production, Ülkü Karakuş outlines a roadmap to reduce this dependency. Recognizing the high investment costs in the additive sector, President Karakuş advocates for increased ‘public incentives’ and R&D efforts to gradually diminish the reliance on imports. Additionally, Karakuş reiterates the recommendation to “Eliminate barriers arising from Biosafety legislation for products utilizing biotechnological methods in the production process to reduce dependence on foreign countries in the supply of feed additives.”
EXPANSION NEEDED IN PASTURE ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
During his speech at the 15th TUYEM event, Karakuş provided recommendations for achieving a more efficient structure in the country’s agriculture and animal husbandry sectors. Highlighting Turkey’s significant position as a crucial logistics hub along the Silk and Spice Roads, Ülkü Karakuş emphasized the consistent use of the term ‘hub’ and urged recognition of Turkey’s vital importance due to its geographical location within the framework of TUYEM events.
Karakuş emphasized the need for an increase in pasture animal husbandry and the population of roaming animals. The President of TÜRKİYEMBİR stated, “Through crossbreeding efforts, sheep meat should be made a more favored choice in kitchens,” while indicating that relevant studies are ongoing.
At the event attended by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, Ülkü Karakuş voiced the concerns of industrialists. He stressed the necessity for a production model that prioritizes producers, citing the reduction of VAT on feed to 1% as a significant step towards lowering production costs. “Although the impact may not be overt due to rising food prices, the reduction of VAT on feed to 1% is crucial in alleviating the cost burden on producers.” Additionally, he raised concerns about delays in VAT reimbursements, advocating for shorter processing times.
Karakuş noted that despite high inflation rates over the past two years, feed prices have not increased accordingly. He remarked, “There has been a misconception that the rise in meat and dairy prices always stems from feed. However, feed prices have remained well below inflation figures for the past two years. This process has highlighted that the increase in meat and dairy prices is not solely attributable to feed, indicating the effective role of the feed sector.”