Raw Milk Production Cost Exceeds Reference Price

October 2, 2026 · Tarım Pusulası

CHP Deputy Chairman Orhan Sarıbal called for an urgent update of raw milk prices, stating that production costs have risen to 28.50 Turkish Liras, exceeding the National Milk Council's recommended price of 24.30 liras.

CHP Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal drew attention to the deepening crisis in the livestock and food sectors at a press conference. Reminding that the recommended raw cow's milk price has been applied at 24.30 TL/liter since May 1st by the National Milk Council, Orhan Sarıbal stated that producers in the field are facing significant losses. Emphasizing that the meat crisis cannot be solved without protecting the producer, CHP Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal voiced the following demand:

Stating that the gap between the National Milk Council's reference price and the real cost is widening, Orhan Sarıbal drew attention to TÜSEDAD calculations. According to TÜSEDAD data, the hot raw milk production cost for August in an operation with a capacity of 100 dairy cows and a daily yield of 30 liters was realized as 28.50 TL/liter. CHP Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal made the following remarks on the issue:

Sarıbal stated that pasture improvement, protection of domestic breeding stock, forage crop production, and combating foot-and-mouth disease are essential.

Criticizing the livestock projection planned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for 2027, Orhan Sarıbal announced that according to the Ministry's official announcement, 480,000 head of beef cattle will be allowed for import. While 380,000 heads of this quota were allocated to large operations with 200 head or more, only 100,000 heads were given to operations with less than 200 head. Criticizing the allocation of 79% of the quota to large facilities, CHP Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal made the following assessment:

Sarıbal noted that 15 billion dollars have been spent on red meat and live animals since 2010.

Stating that the weight of public support for the livestock sector in the budget has decreased dramatically, Orhan Sarıbal reported that support has fallen from the 35-36% level in 2020 to the current 17% level. Sarıbal, who advocates for keeping small and medium-sized family businesses in production, demanded that the Meat and Milk Institution disclose its import revenues and usage areas. CHP Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal completed his warning as follows:

Evaluating the situation in the aquaculture sector, Sarıbal stated that the volume of products traded at the Istanbul Gürpınar Aquaculture Market increased from 920 tons last year to 1,884 tons. While bonito constituted 904 tons and anchovy 552 tons of the volume, horse mackerel decreased from 226 tons to 76 tons. Stating that approximately 60 fishermen in Hatay could not go to sea due to rising costs, CHP Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal summarized the situation as follows:

Sarıbal criticized the 145 million lira support allocated to small-scale fishermen and the 6.8% special consumption tax (ÖTV) share.

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