Beef and buffalo meat market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

Turkey's beef and buffalo meat production rose from 1.3 million tonnes in 2018 to 1.7 million tonnes in 2023, driving market volume upward over the period. This expansion took place while the Et ve Süt Kurumu (ESK) assumed exclusive authority for live cattle imports, channeling shipments to stabilize domestic supply. Drought conditions prompted some feed manufacturers to substitute sorghum for corn, but overall output continued to grow. Buffalo meat remained a minor segment, with its distinct lean profile and geographical indication potential attracting niche interest.

In 2024, total red meat production dropped by 11.7%, pulling beef and buffalo meat output down as well. The decline was attributed to high slaughter rates that reduced animal stocks, which pushed consumer prices higher and cut into producer profits. To compensate, ESK ramped up imports of fresh beef carcasses, selling them directly to industrial users, while overall meat imports surged.

Production beef and buffalo meat Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Turkey was among the world's leading producers of beef and buffalo meat from 2017 to 2020, ranking 11th globally by production volume.

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Turkey's beef and buffalo meat production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 350 thousand tonnes, marking a 0.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 22.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of production Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Turkey's beef and buffalo meat production value declined. In 2020, output was valued at 7 928 million US dollars, representing a sharp 28.5% drop from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 11 092 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 37.6%.

Annual dynamics of production Turkey in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beef and buffalo meat to Turkey

Exports in kind, t

Turkey's beef and buffalo meat exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 1 265 tonnes, down 18.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 35.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 1 561 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 66.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey's beef and buffalo meat exports in kind were distributed across multiple markets without a clear dominant partner. Cyprus accounted for 10.5% of exports, Malta for 8.9%, and Germany for 8.0%, with these three countries together making up just 27.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Turkey's beef and buffalo meat export values showed significant fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2017, followed by a peak in 2018, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports reached 7.4 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 42.3% drop from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 13.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 96.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, Germany was the top buyer of Turkey's beef and buffalo meat in value terms, accounting for 10.3% of exports, followed by Cyprus at 7.4% and Iraq at 7.2%. However, these three countries combined represented only 24.8% of total export value, with the remaining 75.2% spread across numerous other partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef and buffalo meat in Turkey

Imports in kind, t

Turkey's beef and buffalo meat imports in kind experienced volatile changes from 2017 to 2020. The lowest volume was in 2020, while the peak occurred in 2018, with a 10.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports were recorded at 5 426 tonnes, down 18.0% from 2019. The maximum was in 2018 at 57 428 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 179.8%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 88.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia were the key sources for Turkey's beef and buffalo meat imports in kind, together accounting for 84.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports in Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Turkey's beef and buffalo meat import values exhibited notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2020, while the peak was in 2018, with an 8.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totalled 32.2 million US dollars, down 16.8% from 2019. The maximum value was in 2018 at 272.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 179.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 85.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Turkey in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, Poland dominated Turkey's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms, accounting for 57.4%, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina at 15.4% and Serbia at 8.4%. These three suppliers together represented 81.2% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports in Turkey in value, 2017-2020