Broiler production in Turkey: challenges and opportunities

Turkey's Broiler Industry: Can It Compete on a Global Stage?

Soraya Malik in Business & Economy December 2025 • 3 min read.

"An in-depth analysis of Turkey's broiler production reveals the challenges and opportunities for competing with global leaders."

The global meat market is a dynamic arena, and while pork still holds the largest share, poultry is rapidly gaining ground. Over the past half-century, poultry production has surged by an impressive 1,144%, and projections suggest it will soon overtake pork as the meat of choice worldwide. This surge is expected to be driven largely by developing nations, creating both opportunities and challenges for producers around the globe.

Currently, the United States, China, and Brazil dominate the broiler production landscape, accounting for a staggering 50% of global output. Turkey, with its 2% market share and annual production of 1.8 million tons, is a significant player but faces hurdles to further expansion. The Turkish broiler industry boasts an annual turnover of USD 4.5 billion, with exports reaching USD656 million, marking a tenfold increase in the last 23 years. However, this growth is tempered by a reliance on imported inputs, impacting production costs and competitiveness.

A recent study delved into the performance and costs of broiler production in Turkey, focusing on the key regions of Balıkesir, Bolu, and Sakarya. By analyzing data from 125 broiler farms, researchers uncovered critical insights into the industry's strengths, weaknesses, and potential for future growth. This article will explore these findings, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Turkey's broiler producers.

Decoding Turkey's Broiler Performance: What the Numbers Say

Broiler production in Turkey: challenges and opportunities

The study evaluated 125 broiler farms in Balıkesir, Bolu, and Sakarya, categorizing them by rearing capacity: small (1-10,000 broilers), medium (10,001-30,000), and large (30,001+). Data from 2012-2013 was analyzed to assess key performance indicators and cost differences across farm sizes and regions.

Here’s a snapshot of the average performance metrics:

Live Weight (LW): 2.436 kg
Livability (LA): 93.502%
Slaughter Age (SA): 42.293 days
Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR): 1.805 kg
Production Efficiency Factor (PEF): 298.802

These figures suggest that Turkey's broiler production achieves performance levels comparable to other major global producers. However, a deeper dive into the cost structure reveals some critical challenges.

The Road Ahead: Enhancing Competitiveness

Turkey's broiler industry has made significant strides in production efficiency, achieving performance levels on par with global leaders. However, to truly compete on the world stage, addressing the cost disadvantages stemming from imported inputs is crucial. By reducing reliance on foreign feed and parent stock chicks, Turkey can unlock its full potential and strengthen its position in the global meat market. Further research into the slaughter and marketing stages of the industry will also provide valuable insights for optimizing the entire value chain.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/18069061-2015-0017, Alternate LINK

Title: Technical Performance And Cost Analysis Of Broiler Production In Turkey

Subject: Animal Science and Zoology

Journal: Revista Brasileira de Ciência Avícola

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: M Tandoğan, H Çiçek

Published: 2016-03-01

Everything You Need To Know

Which countries are the major players in broiler production globally, and how does Turkey compare?

The United States, China, and Brazil dominate the global broiler production landscape, collectively producing 50% of the world's output. Turkey currently holds a 2% market share. This signifies the intense competition within the global meat market. This dominance indicates that Turkey must address specific challenges to significantly increase its market share and compete effectively with these established global leaders. The focus is on enhancing competitiveness.

What were the key performance metrics for broiler production in Turkey, and what do they indicate?

The broiler industry in Turkey achieved notable performance metrics in 2012-2013. The average Live Weight (LW) was 2.436 kg, the Livability (LA) was 93.502%, Slaughter Age (SA) was 42.293 days, the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was 1.805 kg, and the Production Efficiency Factor (PEF) was 298.802. These figures reflect production efficiency levels similar to those of other major global producers. Further research needs to be done to address the cost challenges to truly compete.

What are the main challenges that the Turkish broiler industry faces in terms of cost and competitiveness?

The critical challenges for Turkey's broiler industry include its reliance on imported inputs, such as feed and parent stock chicks. This reliance impacts the production costs and overall competitiveness. Addressing the cost disadvantages stemming from imported inputs is crucial for Turkey to compete globally. By reducing dependency on foreign resources, Turkey can unlock its full potential and improve its global market position. This would require strategic shifts to strengthen Turkey's position in the global meat market.

How was the data collected and analyzed in the study of Turkey's broiler farms?

The study assessed 125 broiler farms in Balıkesir, Bolu, and Sakarya, categorizing them based on rearing capacity: small (1-10,000 broilers), medium (10,001-30,000), and large (30,001+). The data, gathered from 2012-2013, was analyzed to determine key performance indicators and cost differences across farm sizes and regions. This detailed analysis provides valuable insights into the structure, challenges, and opportunities within Turkey's broiler industry. The insights help evaluate the strengths and weaknesses within Turkey's broiler production landscape.

What is the financial scale of Turkey's broiler industry, and how does it fit into the global market?

Turkey's broiler industry has an annual turnover of USD 4.5 billion, with exports reaching USD 656 million. Turkey's broiler production has grown tenfold in the last 23 years. The broiler industry is a significant part of the global meat market. The global meat market is dynamic, and poultry production is expected to overtake pork. This growth is creating both opportunities and challenges for producers around the globe. Further research is needed into the slaughter and marketing stages to optimize the entire value chain.