July 28, 2009

Turkey's poultry exports reached US$66 million in the first half of 2009, up more than 100 percent on-year, according to figures released by the Poultry Meat Producers and Breeders Association.

During the period, chicken exports rose 190 percent while turkey exports jumped 212 percent from a year ago.

However, Turkey's chicken feet exports generated only US$10 million, down 22 percent on-year.

Turkey's poultry exports have enjoyed a healthy growth since 2006, when exports reached only US$28 million. In 2007, exports jumped to US$44 million before surging to US$87 million in 2008.

The record increase in poultry exports was mainly due to higher demand from countries such as Iraq, who now prefers buying fresh poultry products from Turkey instead of purchasing frozen products from Brazil. Proximity also played a key role in Iraq's decision to buy more poultry products from Turkey.

Turkey's poultry exports to Iraq increased 116 percent on-year. Other large markets for Turkish poultry are Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Vietnam and Bosnia and Herzegovina.