TUYEM16, the most important gatherings of the Turkish feed industry, brought together all components of the sector under one roof. The event, attended by Türkiye’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı and hosting more than 800 participants and visitors, became a central meeting point where the pulse of the industry was felt across a wide spectrum from production and trade to public institutions and academia. The messages delivered on the opening day clearly outlined the key themes that will shape the sector’s future.

TUYEM16 gathered all stakeholders of the feed sector in Antalya, standing out with strong participation and high energy. More than 800 participants and visitors took part in the organization, where companies active in a wide range of fields from feed technologies and laboratory equipment to feed additives and commodity trading presented their products on the exhibition floor. Main sponsor IDMA also demonstrated a strong presence both in the exhibition area and in the congress hall.

The 16th edition of the International Feed Congress and Exhibition, TUYEM16, officially opened with the participation of Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı. In his speech, Yumaklı emphasized that the feed sector is a cornerstone of animal production, stressing that food supply security, sustainability, and production planning will be the main pillars of the coming period. Drawing attention to the strategic importance of agricultural and feed production in an era of increasing global uncertainty, he underlined that public-private cooperation will play a decisive role. He also stated that firms causing unjustified price increases by citing regional and global developments would not be tolerated, adding: “I would like to exclude all well-intentioned stakeholders. However, we will never allow coercive practices such as ‘If you do not buy feed from me, I will not buy your milk,’ which force producers outside free market conditions.”

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı

GROWTH OF THE SECTOR AND A NEW VISION

TÜRKİYEMBİR President Ülkü Karakuş highlighted the sector’s development in recent years in his opening remarks. He noted that the feed industry in Türkiye, which initially developed under public leadership, has largely grown through private sector investments over time, and stated that increased production capacity and modern facilities have positioned the sector as globally competitive.

Karakuş also stated that, in addition to biennial congresses, international events during the interim years will further strengthen the sector’s global outreach. He emphasized that raw material supply, financing conditions, and climate-related risks remain among the main challenges facing the sector.

TÜRKİYEMBİR President Ülkü Karakuş

IDMA’S GLOBAL VISION AND NEW COLLABORATIONS

Speaking on behalf of the main sponsor, IDMA Chairman M. Ali Kalkan shared key insights during the opening session. He presented a new cooperation model aimed at strengthening the global position of the Turkish feed and milling sector. Drawing attention to the group’s activities in exhibition organization, publishing, and event management, as well as its long-standing experience particularly across Africa and other regions, Kalkan emphasized that the sector’s export and international expansion capacity is being reinforced through this network. He also noted that the group’s publications—Feed Planet for the feed industry, Miller for milling, and BBM for bakery and bakery products—provide a comprehensive platform monitoring the sector from multiple angles.

IDMA Chairman M. Ali Kalkan

NEW DIRECTION FOR THE TURKISH FEED INDUSTRY: AFRICA

The most critical announcement by Kalkan was the establishment of a new consortium between TÜRKİYEMBİR, IDMA, and IAOM. Within this framework, in addition to TUYEM’s biennial schedule, joint initiatives will be organized in various African countries during the intervening years through the cooperation of these three institutions.

Kalkan announced that the first step will be taken with the Milling and Feed Congress to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, on 23–26 November 2026. He stated that this event, integrated with the international congress under IAOM, will not only enhance the global visibility of the Turkish feed industry but also contribute to strengthening food production infrastructure in Africa, marking a strategic milestone for regional food security.

IDMA ISTANBUL TO HOST OVER 300 EXHIBITORS IN ISTANBUL EXPO CENTER

In the final part of his speech, Kalkan invited all stakeholders to a major international gathering, once again underlining the importance of IDMA Istanbul Fair. He stressed that the fair is not merely an event, but a strategic platform shaping the global direction of the sector. The organization will be held on 25–27 June 2026 at Istanbul Expo Center in Halls 2, 4, and 8, with more than 300 international exhibitors and over 10,000 professional visitors expected to attend. The “IDMA Milling and Feed Forum,” to be held within the event, will address the future of the flour and feed industries over two days. He concluded his speech by saying: “It is my great pleasure to invite you to the opening and all sessions of this major gathering that will shape the future of our sector.”

LEADERS DISCUSSED THE FUTURE OF THE SECTOR, EMPHASIZING COORDINATION 

Panels held on the first day of the congress attracted significant attention as they addressed the sector’s current agenda from different perspectives. One of the most notable sessions was the “Sector Consultations” panel moderated by TÜRKİYEMBİR President Ülkü Karakuş. Representatives from TMO, the Ministry of Trade, YUM-BİR, SETBİR, and BESD-BİR came together, discussing raw material supply, market dynamics, and inter-sector coordination, while sharing forward-looking assessments for the industry.

In the panel titled “Next Generation Feed Industry: Food and Human,” moderated by İrfan Donat, experts discussed the critical role of feed production in the food chain, along with quality, safety, and transformation dynamics shaping the sector.

TUYEM has been held biennially since 1992 and continues to be one of the most important meeting platforms of the Turkish feed industry. The event combines technical content with commercial interaction, standing among the key organizations guiding the sector’s development.