Interview: Cemalettin Kanaş

“We aimed to increase our annual export from $400 million to $500 million but had to slow down due to avian influenza and export levy cuts. We expect these cuts to be lifted soon so we can refocus on our target.”

Eggs, indispensable in kitchens for their taste and nutritional value, also stand out as a strategic product for food security. As the most economical source to meet protein needs, this product carries great importance for Türkiye through its export potential. However, recent export restrictions and rising costs have slowed the sector’s momentum.

In this issue, İbrahim Afyon, Chairman of YUM-BİR (Türkiye’s association of egg producers) puts the Turkish egg sector’s most critical problems on the table with his assessments. In this exclusive Feed Planet interview, Afyon highlights eggs as a strategic product globally, noting that Türkiye ranks in the top 10 in world egg production and in the top 3-4 in exports. He stresses that the sector’s 136% production capacity is dependent on exports and that obstacles like avian influenza and DFİF (Support and Price Stability Fund) cuts have hindered this potential.

İbrahim Afyon, Chairman of YUM-BİR

Afyon offers key insights on many topics from production decline and export funds to feed costs, biosecurity measures, and YUM-BİR’s activities. According to him, “the egg sector is like a bicycle that must keep pedaling.” So, what should be done to accelerate this bicycle? Here are Afyon’s striking findings...

You emphasize in your talks that eggs are a strategic product, and this has become clearer in recent months. According to TURKSTAT’s April 2025 data announced on June 13, egg production fell by 9.1%, while broiler chicken meat production increased by 23.5%. What are the reasons behind this trend? How do you evaluate the sector’s growth potential to maintain the strategic importance of eggs?

Eggs are a globally strategic product, not just specific to our country, thanks to their nutritional value and being an indispensable, easily accessible, and affordable staple in kitchens. Many developed countries have experienced egg crises in recent years. While Türkiye ranks among the top 10 egg producers worldwide, it is also in the top 3 or 4 in exports. Our country’s egg production capacity reaches up to 136% of national consumption, meaning we must export the surplus above 100% or find new consumption channels.

Countries worldwide are striving to produce their own eggs and secure supply for their populations, and Türkiye is the luckiest country in this respect. Growth potential has always existed. Turkish entrepreneurs have continuously sought growth. The egg sector is like riding a bicycle, that is, you must keep pedaling to keep moving forward. Investors who slow down or stop risk gradual decline. However, the market does not always expand at the same pace. A growing sector inevitably depends on foreign markets. For this reason, research and efforts have always been ongoing. Today, we have the potential to export eggs to 69 countries. In reality, we export table eggs, hatching eggs, organic eggs, and liquid eggs to 39 countries. Our annual export revenue targeted $500 million, up from $400 million, but this was slightly disrupted by avian influenza and the export levy. Once the levy is lifted, we will refocus on our target soon.

ANIMAL PRODUCTION NEEDS A LICENSING SYSTEM TO THRIVE

The egg sector struggles with rising costs and export regulations. You highlighted our 136% self-sufficiency and the necessity to export 36% of production. As YUM-BİR, what support or policy changes do you expect from the government to support this export target while maintaining affordable domestic prices?

Since our founding in 2006, YUM-BİR’s main philosophy has been to “ensure the safest and healthiest food delivery to our people, while acting as a bridge between bureaucracy and the sector in times of difficulty.” We closely monitor many issues, including the timing of government-imposed levies and supports. Within the state’s animal production planning efforts, we demand licensing for production, export, and industry. Implementing such a licensing system is crucial to protect producers from losses, allow consumers to access products at reasonable prices, and enable exporters to meet global demand.

EGGS SENT TO U.S. MAKE UP ONLY A TINY SLICE OF OUR PRODUCTION

As is well known, an export levy of $0.50 per kilogram (later increased to $1.50) was imposed on egg exports under the DFIF (Support and Price Stabilization Fund). You previously stated that the U.S. demand for 15,000 tons of eggs was minimal compared to the industry’ production capacity, yet such news led to the perception that prices would rise domestically. How has the DFIF deduction impacted producers? What is the ideal way to balance export opportunities with domestic market stability?

Until October 2024, we maintained very strict biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Although we successfully avoided the outbreaks seen in many countries including EU member states and the U.S., we still experienced some poultry-related issues and had to remove a number of layer hens from production for public health reasons.

Following reports of the U.S. egg shortage, Turkey's export initiative sparked a misconception that domestic price increases were solely due to these shipments.

When rising global demand coincided with heightened food activity during Ramadan, it had a multiplier effect on domestic prices. To protect consumers, our government imposed an export levy of first $0.50 and then $1.50 per kg on eggs. This undermined our egg exports, leading to domestic sales below cost. As hens removed from production returned quickly to laying, and eggs intended for export were redirected to the domestic market, producers began to suffer.

EXPORTING EGGS DOESN’T HARM THE LOCAL MARKET

Türkiye ranks among the top countries in egg production. The 15,000 tons of eggs to be delivered to the U.S. over seven months (at two truckloads per week) is insignificant for a country like Türkiye, which exports 150–200 truckloads of eggs per week. We made it clear that we can meet domestic needs, export demands, and even the U.S. requirements all at once. However, the crisis images from the U.S. showing empty shelves were exaggerated and misinterpreted in our country. Egg prices rose for several reasons, but exports were wrongly blamed as the sole cause, disrupting our international trade.

There is misinformation around exports. Exports have never been the enemy of the domestic market. In fact, eggs produced for export can later be redirected to the domestic market when needed, ensuring national food supply security. Other countries can source their needs from Türkiye, but for us, there is no alternative market.

WE CALL ON TMO TO STABILIZE FEED PRICES WITH FIXED-RATE SUPPLIES

It’s well known that feed is the biggest cost item in egg production. How do fluctuations in feed prices and supply problems affect egg production costs? How can the feed and egg sectors collaborate for sustainability?

An egg producer gives each hen about 5.5–6 kg of feed before it starts laying. In the following days, it’s impossible to get eggs without providing 110–120 grams of feed per bird. Even then, one cannot obtain one egg per hen daily. At the most productive stage, the producer gets 90 eggs from 100 hens. This production efficiency drops to 60% in later months, and birds are sent to slaughter after 25 weeks of age.

The feed industry relies heavily on imports for feed and raw materials. Since inputs like corn are priced in foreign currency, feed costs can make up as much as 80% of the total cost of egg production. On behalf of the feed industry, what we expect from TMO (Turkish Grain Board) is the long-term supply of our raw materials at fixed costs. We thank the General Manager of TMO, our Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, and their teams for supporting us during difficult times.

CONSUMERS URGED TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTION CLAIMS

Avian influenza cases, which remain on the global agenda, are being closely monitored both by national and international organizations. What new measures is the sector taking to prevent diseases like bird flu and to protect poultry health? What is the current state of the Turkish poultry sector on this matter?

Avian influenza (or bird flu) is a situation comparable to pandemics in humans. Just as we can overcome pandemics with health and hygiene measures, we can overcome bird flu by adhering to biosecurity protocols. While the world has long struggled in this fight, we have been managing it very successfully under the guidance and with the teams of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. We will continue to manage this issue with stricter measures and strive to coexist with the risk.

Bird flu enters our country via migratory birds. The virus that enters through migration routes spreads among domestic animals and poultry commodities. In areas where migratory birds rest, the virus is transmitted through village and free-range chickens to nearby facilities and continues to spread via animal movement. If our people avoid giving unnecessary attention to eggs from so-called alternative production sources (whose origins and methods are unclear) they will not only avoid being misled in terms of price, but will also support our biosecurity efforts and contribute to the country’s food supply security.

BEYOND SUPPLY AND DEMAND, PUBLIC PERCEPTION ALSO SHAPES PRICES

In my first question, I asked about TURSTAT’s April statistics on egg and chicken meat. What other data should we examine to understand production trends?

TURSTAT is our top authority when it comes to data. We rely on TURSTAT data to gain insights and shape policies. The chicken referred to in TURSTAT’s data is broiler chicken, not related to our laying hens. The fluctuation in production, consumption, and market conditions affects the pricing of eggs, which are determined by supply and demand. Production trends may shift instantly due to perception. During periods of increased food shopping activity (like school openings, seasonal transitions from summer to winter, winter months, and Ramadan) there tends to be an upward trend. On the other hand, in periods such as entering summer, school closures, April-May period, and when younger flocks begin laying, supply increases and prices trend downward. In short, egg prices rise or fall within the triangle of supply, demand, and public perception.

As YUM-BİR President, you often have to deal with price fluctuations, export restrictions, and at times, misleading perceptions. How does YUM-BİR work to solve these issues? What are your plans for the upcoming period?

Our union was established under Law No. 5200 on agricultural producer organizations. Since membership is voluntary and our beneficial activities are embraced by all producers, our members are conscious producers who join willingly and with awareness. We have 12 sub-regional unions affiliated with our central union, and approximately 450 members under these regional presidents.

We are constantly seeking solutions together with ministries and the sector for every kind of issue. To prevent negative impacts on the public in terms of price and supply, and to protect our producers from financial harm, we organize awareness and evaluation meetings. We thank the officials of the Ministry of Trade, who pay attention to us regarding export and domestic market prices.

EGG-FEST SUMMIT UNITES INDUSTRY IN COLLABORATIVE WORKSHOP

Türkiye’s egg industry currently exports to around 40 of the roughly 70 countries where it holds market potential. Events like the Egg Summit (Yumurta Zirvesi) provide a platform for the sector to examine this issue in depth. Based on the outcomes of the most recent summit, where do we currently stand in terms of our export goals? And which challenges do you plan to focus on in the upcoming summits?

Through the Egg Summit, we bring together nearly a thousand guests from every corner of the egg world including public officials, egg producers and suppliers, feed and additive industries, auxiliary egg businesses, universities, academics, media, consumers, and NGOs. The summit functions as a kind of sectoral workshop, allowing us to evaluate how far we’ve come, how we are perceived by public institutions and society, and how we present ourselves.

As YUM-BİR, we’ve started preparations for our next edition, the 7th YUM-BİR summit “YUM-FEST.” We look forward to welcoming all sector stakeholders. We produce eggs, the healthiest food and most affordable source of protein, impossible to adulterate, with pride and passion. And we hope they’ll be consumed with the same affection.