Livestock Import Bill Dwarfs Domestic Producer Support
· GıdaTarım
In the first six months of 2026, Turkey spent $1.17 billion on live animal and red meat imports, while public support for domestic breeders amounted to only one-third of this figure.
Import Bill Exceeds Support by Multiple Folds
Live animal and meat imports, initiated in Turkey in 2010 to balance red meat prices, have continued uninterrupted for 16 years. Amidst domestic breeders exiting production due to high costs, public funds spent on external procurement have surpassed the support provided to local producers. In the first six months of 2026, $1,173,867,000 was spent on live animal and red meat imports. This bill reached approximately 2.9 times the support budget necessary to ensure the survival of producers.
Budgetary Resources Diverted to Imports
General government budget data from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance clearly illustrates the imbalance in the distribution of public resources. According to the disclosed figures, a total of 18,208 million TL was allocated to livestock support services in the first half of the year. This support amount, corresponding to approximately $405,059,000 when considering average monthly exchange rates, fell significantly short of the $1.17 billion spent on imports during the same period.