Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, butter and dairy fats production in Turkey increased from 517.4 thousand tonnes to 538.9 thousand tonnes, while the market size grew from 525.8 to 547.2 thousand tonnes. This growth was supported by the clarification of product definitions in the Turkish Food Codex, which incorporated new segments like flavored butter. State-supported cooperatives and producer associations, such as those supplying cream to major brands like Torku and Pınar, played a key role. Additionally, the adoption of modern centrifugation and pasteurization techniques alongside traditional methods enhanced production capacity and quality. The emergence of online sales channels, like Sütdünyası, created a direct-to-consumer segment, further stimulating market expansion.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused supply chain disruptions in 2020, leading to a sharp drop in production to 299.8 thousand tonnes and market size to 308.4 thousand tonnes. However, government support and cooperative structures helped sustain production. Concurrently, heightened health consciousness boosted demand for organic, additive-free, and natural butter products, prompting manufacturers to launch new offerings. Stricter hygiene and traceability requirements for packaging and labeling necessitated investments but raised industry standards. In 2021, production stabilized around 300 thousand tonnes, aided by regional development programs that promoted traditional butter making in areas like the Kars Plateau, fostering local branding.

Production declined to 284.4 thousand tonnes in 2022, with market size falling to 272.2 thousand tonnes, before recovering to 301.0 thousand tonnes and 306.7 thousand tonnes respectively in 2023. During this period, the entry of new players and the strengthening of local producer cooperatives intensified competition. Sustainability and organic production policies gained prominence, driving updates in legislation and certification processes. Consumer preference for natural, clean, and local products continued to shape product development, encouraging variety in the market.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Turkey was among the world's leading producers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from 2017 to 2020, ranking 8th globally by production volume.

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

Turkey's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats increased for two consecutive years before declining. In 2020, production fell to 299.8 K t, down 44.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 38.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -15.0%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 538.9 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 5.9%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Turkey

Exports in kind, t

The export market exhibited significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their highest point in 2019 at 27 460 t, then plummeted to 2 432 t in 2020, marking an 11.3-fold decrease. The year-over-year decline in 2020 was sharp at 91.1%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 402.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran dominated Turkey's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in volume terms, accounting for 84.0% of total flows. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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, K $ US

The export market in value terms showed notable volatility. Exports peaked in 2019 at 23 214 K $ US and hit their lowest point in 2018 at 10 087 K $ US, reflecting a 2.3-fold gap. In 2020, exports totaled 10 596 K $ US, down 54.4% year-over-year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 130.1%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Iran, Iraq, and Egypt were the primary buyers of Turkey's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in value terms. Iran accounted for 41.7% of exports, Iraq for 7.6%, and Egypt for 7.0%, jointly representing 56.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Turkey

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed noticeable fluctuations, climbing to a maximum of 35 775 t in 2019 before dropping to 10 987 t in 2020, a 3.3-fold decrease. The year-over-year decline in 2020 was 69.3%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 158.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, New Zealand, and Ireland were the main suppliers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to Turkey in volume terms. India accounted for 25.6% of imports, New Zealand for 20.7%, and Ireland for 19.7%, together making up 66.0% of total import volume.

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, K $ US

In 2020, Turkey's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in value terms amounted to 35 475 K $ US, down 38.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 36.4%, equating to an annualized rate of -14.0%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 57 490 K $ US, with the largest annual increase in 2019 at 7.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Ireland, Ukraine, and Belarus formed the main cluster of markets for Turkey's imports in value terms. Ireland accounted for 22.6% of imports, Ukraine for 22.2%, and Belarus for 12.1%, collectively representing 56.8% 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