Faruk Şener
Sales and Dealer Management Consultant
In Türkiye, the Marmara and Aegean regions stand out in broiler chicken production, while the Aegean and Central Anatolia regions take the lead in egg-laying hen production. The future of the sector will be determined by feed cost management, increased biosecurity measures, and diversification of export markets. Additionally, the development of regional planning and logistics networks will further enhance production efficiency.
INTRODUCTION
The poultry sector holds a strategic position in Türkiye’s agricultural production and livestock activities. Both broiler and egg production hold significant economic value for the country’s food security, export potential, and employment. In recent years, the spread of modern poultry house technologies, genetic breeding studies, and advancements in feed technologies have increased production capacity in the sector.
This article examines in detail the general outlook of broiler and egg-laying hen farming in Türkiye, regional concentration areas, and leading provinces.
TÜRKİYE’S OVERALL OUTLOOK
According to census results conducted across Türkiye:
A total of 3,272 poultry farms are operational
The broiler chicken count stands at 270.5 million
The egg-laying hen count is recorded at 109.1 million
These figures show that broiler production is approximately 2.5 times higher than egg-laying hen production. Türkiye ranks among leading countries in broiler production in Europe, while in egg production it maintains particularly strong capacity for both domestic consumption and exports.
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS
Regional data reveals that poultry farming doesn’t show balanced distribution across Türkiye, but rather concentrates in certain regions.
In broiler production, The Marmara Region holds a clear leadership position in broiler production. The Aegean and Black Sea Regions also have high production capacity.
In egg-laying hen production, the Aegean Region takes the lead, followed by Central Anatolia and Marmara Regions.
Table 1 - Poultry Production Statistics by Region
LEADING PROVINCES
In broiler and egg-laying hen farming, certain provinces stand out both in terms of farm numbers and livestock population.
Top 5 Provinces in Broilers
1. Manisa – 35,3 million
2. Balıkesir – 34,6 million
3. Bolu – 34,0 million
4. Sakarya – 24,7 million
5. Mersin – 22,2 milyon adet
Top 5 Provinces by Laying Hens
1. Manisa – 11,3 million
2. Afyonkarahisar – 10,4 million
3. Konya – 7,25 million
4. Gaziantep – 7,15 million
5. Balıkesir – 6,66 million
Figure 1 - Number of Chickens by Region
Figure 2 - Top 10 Provinces in Chicken Production
Manisa’s leadership in both categories stems from its integrated production facilities, strong feed industry, and developed logistics infrastructure.
GEOGRAPHICAL CONCENTRATION AND PRODUCTION TRENDS
The Marmara Region holds a pioneering position in broiler production due to its proximity to the Istanbul market and logistical advantages.
The Aegean Region has a balanced production structure in both broiler and egg-laying hens, particularly leading in egg production.
The Black Sea Region has increased its broiler production capacity in recent years and has become an area attracting investments from large integrated facilities.
The Central Anatolia Region stands out in egg-laying hen farming due to its extensive land availability and low operating costs.
CONCLUSION AND EVALUATION
Türkiye’s poultry sector has a strong structure meeting world standards in terms of total production capacity, while showing regional differences. The leadership of Marmara and Aegean in broiler production, and Aegean and Central Anatolia in egg-laying hen production is particularly notable.
The future of the sector will be determined by feed cost management, increased biosecurity measures, and diversification of export markets. Additionally, the development of regional planning and logistics networks will further enhance production efficiency.
