The Turkish Ministry of Trade has temporarily suspended poultry exports ahead of Ramadan, citing price stability concerns following announced increases of up to 15%. The government said the move aims to prevent unjustified price hikes, while industry leaders argue the decision risks long-term market losses and undermines Türkiye’s credibility across nearly 50 export markets.
The Turkish government has moved to freeze the international sale of poultry products, citing the need to stabilize domestic supply and prices ahead of Ramadan. Following reports of planned price increases of up to 15% in chicken products weeks before the expected rise in seasonal demand, the Ministry of Trade intervened as a market regulation measure. Authorities have framed the suspension as a response to what they describe as unjustified or opportunistic pricing practices, adding that the restriction will remain in place until market conditions are reassessed.
THE SECTOR RESPONDS: “HARD TO UNDERSTAND”
Bedri Girit, Chairman of the Aegean Fisheries and Animal Products Exporters’ Association, has emerged as a leading voice against the ban. He challenged the government’s opportunistic pricing’ narrative with concrete figures, noting that while chicken is sold for 65–90 TL per kilogram, the industry’s minimum production cost is already around 75 TL.
Girit criticized the decision for ignoring market realities and pointed to previous export restrictions in the egg and dairy sectors, which were later reversed. He warned that the measure addresses symptoms rather than structural cost pressures, stating: “Direct export bans create a reverse effect on the market; we saw similar applications in eggs previously and they were ultimately abandoned. This decision will clearly cause serious harm first to our country’s reputation, and then to our exporters.”
STRATEGIC RISKS AND GLOBAL COMPETITION
The industry’s primary concern is the risk of permanent market share loss. Türkiye currently exports poultry products to around 50 countries, including Dubai and other Middle Eastern markets. Girit stressed that international buyers do not wait for export bans to be lifted, instead securing long-term contracts with competitors such as Brazil.
“This decision distances Türkiye from its position as a reliable supplier,” Girit said. With total poultry production at approximately 2.8 million tons, exports account for only about 7% of output, suggesting that a blanket export ban places a $723 million export economy at risk without addressing underlying cost pressures such as feed and energy prices.