Raw Milk Producers Losing 4.2 Lira Per Liter

September 29, 2026 · GıdaTarım

TÜSEDAD Chairman Müslüm Doğru stated that the production cost of raw milk has reached 28.50 TL per liter and urgently requested the National Milk Council to update its reference price as of October 1.

Critical Increase in Raw Milk Costs

Müslüm Doğru, Chairman of the All Cattle Breeders Association (TÜSEDAD), emphasized that raw milk producers are under severe cost pressure due to rising input costs. Doğru reminded that the reference price for cooled raw cow's milk, set by the National Milk Council effective May 1, is 24.30 TL per liter. He announced that considering current feed and operational expenses, the production cost of raw milk had climbed to 28.50 TL as of August. Stating that there is a difference of 4.20 TL per liter between the current reference price and the production cost, TÜSEDAD Chairman Müslüm Doğru issued the following warning:

'While producers' input costs are increasing daily, selling raw milk at prices below those from 6 months ago jeopardizes the sustainability of production. The price effective from May 1 needs to be updated immediately.'

Doğru urgently requested the National Milk Council to revise the raw milk reference price as of October 1.

Producers at a Loss While Shelf Prices Rise

Müslüm Doğru stated that the suppression of prices received by raw milk producers, while retail prices for milk and dairy products are increasing, creates a significant contradiction. He asserted that producers should not be made the scapegoat. In his statement, TÜSEDAD Chairman Müslüm Doğru highlighted that the price gap in the retail market is widening against the producer, noting:

'Although milk and dairy products constitute about 3% of the inflation basket, raw milk producers should not be portrayed as the main cause of inflation. There have been significant increases in the shelf prices of basic food items like drinking milk, white cheese, and yogurt in recent months. The continuous rise in the shelf prices of products made from the same milk, while the price of raw milk sold by the producer is suppressed, creates a major contradiction in the public eye.'

Feed Costs and Supply Issues

Müslüm Doğru stated that feed prices play a decisive role in the rapid increase of production costs. He reported that one of the main factors for the rise in raw milk costs in August was the approximately 11% increase in compound feed prices. TÜSEDAD Chairman Doğru also noted that hikes in energy, fuel, animal health, and logistics expenses are straining farmers' budgets. He added that global and regional geopolitical developments are pressuring the raw material market. Doğru further stated that transit issues in the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing shipping difficulties in the Black Sea basin pose a risk of further cost increases by causing disruptions in the supply of feed raw materials.

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