Milk and cream market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

The Turkish milk and cream market grew from 27 432 thousand tons in 2018 to 28 497 thousand tons in 2019, supported by the sustained operation of state-backed large-scale dairy processing facilities which maintained production capacity. This expansion was further fueled by a shift in consumer preferences toward natural and additive-free products, which increased domestic demand.

Market volume fell to 26 456 thousand tons in 2020 due to production and distribution disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the following years, the decline continued, reaching 24 369 thousand tons by 2022, pressured by successive regulatory changes including stricter product traceability and labeling obligations and the introduction of new EU-harmonized packaging rules, alongside volatility in regional and global milk prices which affected supply conditions.

A slight recovery to 24 572 thousand tons was observed in 2023, indicating market stabilization as the industry adapted to the new regulatory and price environment.

Production milk and cream Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Turkey ranked 7th globally in milk and cream production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Turkey's milk and cream production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production reached 26 479 K t, which is 7.2% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 28 528 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 6.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Turkey's milk and cream output was valued at 21 916 M $ US, representing a 3.0% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 5.2%.

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

Exports milk and cream to Turkey

Exports in kind, t

Milk and cream exports from Turkey declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume amounted to 24 238 t, down 29.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 33.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 12.8%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 45 509 t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 24.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya, Qatar, and Iraq were the three largest markets for Turkey's milk and cream exports, collectively accounting for 84.3% of total export volumes.

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

Turkey's milk and cream export values declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 20 061 K $ US, marking a substantial 21.3% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export values fell by 30.7%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 11.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 35 530 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 22.8%, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 28.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq (30.4% of export value), Libya (30.3%), and Qatar (19.5%) remained the top buyers of Turkish milk and cream, together accounting for 80.2% 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 milk and cream in Turkey

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Turkey's milk and cream imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 277 t, representing a sharp 49.1% contraction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 22%, with a compound annual decline rate of 7.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 508 t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 26.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cyprus and Austria were the dominant suppliers of milk and cream to Turkey, together accounting for 87.7% of total import volumes, with other sources each contributing relatively small shares.

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

Turkey's milk and cream import values declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 3 599 K $ US, down 39.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 23.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 8.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 6 012 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 28.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Cyprus and Austria concentrated 93.8% of Turkey's total milk and cream import value, with the remaining share distributed among other destinations with smaller individual contributions.

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

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