The main source of the problem in Türkiye, which is trying to close the production deficit in red meat with imports, has once again emerged with animal production statistics. According to TURKSTAT (Turkish Statistical Institute), the number of bovine animals decreased by 2.6 per cent to 16 million 583 thousand heads and the number of ovine animals decreased by 6.9 per cent to 52 million 363 thousand heads in 2023 compared to the previous year. Honey production decreased by 2.9 percent compared to the previous year and became 114 thousand 886 tonnes.
The data on the number of livestock, beekeeping, silkworm and poultry farming in the statistics published by TURKSTAT were collected, processed and made ready for publication by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
In the cattle category, the number of cattle fell by 2.6 percent year-on-year to 16 million 421 thousand heads, and the number of buffaloes fell by 5.9 percent year-on-year to 161 thousand 749 heads.
The number of ovine animals fell by 6.9 percent compared to the previous year and reached 52 million 363 thousand heads.
In the ovine category, the number of sheep declined by 5.9 percent compared to the previous year to 42 million 60 thousand heads and the number of goats decreased by 11.0 per cent compared to the previous year to 10 million 303 thousand heads.
The number of seed boxes opened declined by 3.9 percent compared to the previous year and reached 5 thousand 360, while the production of fresh silk cocoons soared by 14.1 percent compared to the previous year and reached 78 tonnes.