US announces: Chicken consumption in Turkey to increase

In the "Poultry Sector in Turkey" report prepared by the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture, it was reported that chicken meat production is expected to increase by 8 percent next year, reaching 2.9 million tons. The report stated that this projected increase is consistent with historical annual growth rates of 8-10 percent, and emphasized that with no restrictions placed on chicken exports in Turkey, there will be stable domestic and foreign demand for Turkish chicken products.

The report pointed out that Turkey produced 2.5 million tons of chicken meat last year, and estimated that chicken meat production for the 2025 calendar year would be 2.7 million tons, which is 9 percent higher than in 2024 due to expectations of high export demand.

In the report, where it is expected that chicken meat consumption will increase by 7 percent in 2026 to reach 2 million 455 thousand tons, the following statement was used: "This projection assumes that consumers will increase their chicken consumption and that chicken meat will continue to be the most important source of protein due to high beef prices. Industry representatives believe that poultry meat prices will increase by 5-10 percent in 2025; they think that the price increase will remain below inflation levels."

The report, which stated that consumption is estimated to increase by 9 percent in 2025 to reach 2.3 million tons due to the affordability of chicken meat, noted the following:

"Per capita chicken meat consumption is expected to exceed 25 kilograms in 2025. In 2024, chicken meat consumption was 2 million 100 thousand tons. Fast-food restaurants and catering companies prefer chicken due to its cost-effectiveness. Products such as chicken doner kebab, chicken burgers, and chicken nuggets are widely consumed, especially among young people. Approximately 60 percent of the chicken produced in Turkey is consumed as whole chicken, while the remaining 40 percent is consumed in parts such as legs, breasts, and wings."

News Source: İHA