January 8, 2013
Turkey likely to face red meat shortage
A continual rise in animal feed prices has increased the cost of feeding cattle, among other livestock,resulting Turkey''s stockbreeders toraise slaughter ratesin bid to cover increasing farmexpenses.
Recalling a similar crisis in 2008, market experts warn of a new wave of red meatshortage in markets unless measures are taken to coax farmers not to send animals to slaughterhouses.
The situation has been developing for the past few months and recently reached its peak. A lack of rain in the spring of last year led to an increase in feed prices, leaving stockbreeders unable to cover the increasing expenses. The government back then intervened to import livestock feed to mitigate surging prices due to a shortage at home.
The government has imported a total of 500,000 tonnes of fodder so far since last year. This measure, however, failed to address the problem.
Stockbreeders, particularly in eastern Anatolia, and agriculture unions are afraid the trend of sending animals to slaughterhouses could ignite a red meat shortage in the months to follow.
The same problems could also trigger a milk shortage.
Republican People''s Party (CHP) Ardahan deputy, Ensar ？–？？？？t, cites relatively higher gasoline, barley and fertiliser prices for farmers'' reluctance to harvest their own feed.
Turkey Cattle Breeders Union President Cemalettin ？–zden says he hopes new arrivals of imported animal feed could help mitigate stockbreeders'' problems.