Having gained momentum in pet food exports, Türkiye aims to reach a $140 million target by the end of the year. The Aegean Region of the country plays a significant role in the export of pet food.

Türkiye’s pet food exports have seen rapid growth in recent years, with the Aegean Grain, Pulses, Oilseeds, and Products Exporters' Association leading the way. Speaking at the opening of PET İZMİR 2024, Chairman of the Association, Muhammet Öztürk, said, "Pet food, a product mainly consisting of grain-based raw materials, falls under our Association's scope. The pet food sector has become a rising value for our country. As an association, we closely monitor developments in this sector and proudly observe its remarkable growth in recent years. Globally, the pet food sector reached a market size of approximately $25 billion in 2023, and in Türkiye, the sector has gained even more momentum. The export volume, which was $4.5 million in 2014, increased 27-fold, reaching $122 million in 2023. As of 2024, we have exported $102 million to nearly 100 countries. We expect this figure to rise to $140 million by the end of the year."

Öztürk emphasized that 60% of Turkey's exports in 2023 came from the Aegean Region, with exports growing by 38% to reach $122 million. "Investments in our region are continuing at pace, and we see the potential to achieve much higher figures," he added. Öztürk also announced plans to launch a Improving International Competitiveness project backed by the Ministry of Trade, aimed at increasing the international competitiveness of companies through 75% government-supported initiatives such as training, consultancy, buyer delegations, and trade show participation.