Turkey shifting from cattle to beef imports
Cattle exports to Turkey drop 23% in 2024
30 December 2024
2 minute read
By: Exports of live cattle to third countries are an important revenue for cattle farmers in Central Europe (such as Czechia, Romania, and Hungary), the Balkan region (mainly Croatia and Bulgaria), and the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), according to a recent US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report.
During the first half year, EU cattle exports fell by 23% with a significant reduction in the shipments to Turkey, while exports to the non-EU Balkan region increased.
With the stable calf production in Central Europe and the EU Balkan region, exports of live cattle to the non-EU Balkan region are anticipated to remain strong. Live cattle exports to Turkey are subject to stricter EU animal welfare regulations as well as new Turkish sourcing policies.
In January 2024, the Turkish government established an import quota for feeder cattle at 600,000 head (725,000 head in 2023). This number may be increased during the year as determined by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Turkish Milk and Meat Board (ESK) depending on market conditions.
At the same time EU beef exports to Turkey are soaring. Due to the overall decline of the supply of young animals, EU cattle exports are forecast to fall about 12% this year. New animal welfare legislation, which is expected this year or next, has the potential to further restrict live cattle exports to third countries.
