November 23, 2010

Turkish firm exports chicken feet to China

Turkey's Sasu Water Products Company, in the southern province of Adana, exported chicken feet processed in Syria to China.

Alican Yamanyilmaz, Chairman of the Union of Mediterranean Exporters (AKIB) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sasu Water Products Company, said that, "although chicken feet are not part of the Turkish cuisine, they have become an important source of income for Turkey."

"Turkey earns US$40 million from exports of chicken feet per year. Chicken feet are a favourite dish of the Chinese. We have established a chicken feet processing unit in Syria in 2004 and since then export these chicken feet to China under a Turkish brand. Our processing unit in Syria cost US$1.1 million to erect. We export chicken feet under the brand 'Sasu'. Our annual exports of chicken feet exceed 3,000 tonnes," Yamanyilmaz said.

The exports from Syria, including the tripe, have exceeded a value of US$3 million. As a company, the annual exports are worth around US$10 million.

"A tonne of chicken feet is exported to China for US$900. Chicken feet are a part of the chicken that is eaten in Chinese, Trinidadian, Jamaican, South African, Peruvian, and Philippine cuisine," added Yamanyilmaz.