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Against the price fluctuations in red meat, producers demand the improvement of competition conditions for small businesses.
Commenting on red meat prices and the cattle breeding sector, Bülent Tunç, Chair of the Central Union of Turkish Red Meat Producers, stated that approximately 800 thousand live cattle were brought from abroad this year and said, “Imported live animals do not benefit small businesses. Therefore, we cannot see a positive effect on the market. Large enterprises have an import permit.”
Drawing attention to the price hikes in red meat prices, Tunç noted, “Despite the live animal imports, prices have soared. Imported live animals, which cost 120 liras per kilogram, are sold to small businesses for about 200 liras. Large enterprises utilise the animals in their own workplaces.”
“The remaining part is sold to the breeders at expensive prices. This situation increases prices in the domestic market. The average meat slaughter price per kilogram, which was 220 liras recently, reached 300 liras. The number of animals in the hands of small operators should go up. Price fluctuations can be prevented if the live animals brought in are distributed evenly to small operators,” he added.
Competition conditions should be improved…
Emphasising that small enterprises should become competitive in the market, Tunç concluded, “The sector in the country should act with small enterprises in mind. There are no enterprises with 20 thousand head of animals in the world, the number of animals of large enterprises is surging in our country. These enterprises bring animals and even feed from outside. In addition, when support is given to these enterprises, public resources are misused. Animal enterprises in the country should be small-scale and this should be encouraged.”
