Pet food sales in Turkey will reach US$127 million in 2022 and could double to US$300 million by the end of 2027, according to a report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service citing data from at the Turkish Statistical Institute. About two-thirds of the pet food consumed in Türkiye is produced domestically, while most of the rest is imported from Europe. However, USDA analysts believe that there may be opportunities for US rendering companies to export pet food ingredients to Türkiye. Currently, Turkish companies import about 15% of pet food ingredients, including animal by-products, poultry fats and meal, fish oil, animal-based products milk, and blood meal.
Domestic pet food production doubled from less than 90,000 metric tons in 2019 to nearly 200,000 metric tons in early 2021. In 2022, Turkish pet food production grew to 225,000 metric tons. Turkish pet food production has grown significantly, but is still dependent on imported raw materials in many cases. Poultry products are the most common source of protein. Mechanically deboned chicken MDM from domestic sources is used in the manufacture of wet pet food products. However, ruminant-based MDM cannot be used for pet food production, as it is mainly used for human consumption. However, the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MinAF) prohibits the import of MDM. Grain and its by-products, such as rice flour, corn flour, wheat flour, rice bran and wheat bran, also frequently appear on pet food ingredient decks in Turkey.
Pet food price inflation in Türkiye
Despite the last few years of growth, high prices and difficult economic conditions within the country may weaken demand for both imported and domestically produced pet food in Türkiye. Domestic inflationary pressures, raw material shortages, high input prices (e.g., electricity, transportation, labor, etc.), regulations governing pet food production and taxes have contributed to rising pet food prices.
“For example, since 2021, the price of a 15-kilogram bag of imported premium pet food (about $69) and locally produced pet food (about $30) has increased by 90 percent and 60 percent , respectively,” USDA analysts wrote. “This price increase has made it difficult for many households to meet the nutritional needs of their pets.”
The need to import ingredients has also driven up prices for Turkish pet owners. As the Turkish Lira depreciated against the US dollar, pet food ingredients became relatively more expensive for Turkish companies, and those costs were passed on to consumers. The Turkish government classifies dog and cat food as a luxury item. The Turkish government’s 18% value added tax (VAT) on dog and cat food has also increased the price of pet food. However, VAT on most animal feeds and other pet foods (eg, poultry and fish) is zero or 1%.
Pet food is highly regulated in Türkiye as the country brings its laws in line with EU standards.
“The product is carefully inspected by the MinAF from production or import to the point of sale,” the USDA analysts wrote. “Importers complain that sampling and testing fees are too expensive, and inspection procedures are not applied uniformly from port to port. According to market sources, the single biggest regulatory hurdle limiting the industry’s growth potential is the restriction on the use of plant materials derived from biotechnology. This restriction applies to both finished pet food and ingredients, both imported and domestic.”
Pet food exports from and imports to Türkiye
Although domestic production has increased demand has exceeded supply, so Türkiye has also imported more livestock in recent years. Imports of dog and cat food will double in value and volume from 2018 to 2022.
“In 2022 alone, pet food imports grew year-over-year by more than 30 percent to 77,000 metric tons ($136 million),” USDA market researchers wrote. “The top three suppliers are France, Hungary and Serbia. Royal Canin and Nestle-Purina are the main brands exporting from France and Serbia, respectively. These premium brands -target middle to upper-income households who value and are willing to pay more for high-quality pet food.In contrast, pet food from Hungary is generally considered of medium quality and priced for to middle- to lower-income households and animal shelters.
The United States exports a smaller amount of pet food to Türkiye than to EU producers. In 2022, US pet food makers exported 88 metric tons of products to Türkiye, worth approximately US$490,000.
Turkey’s pet food exports have grown alongside imports. Turkish brands export about a quarter of the pet food they produce.
“In 2022, exports will reach a record 62,000 metric tons (US$89 million), up 57% from the previous year,” USDA analysts reported. “The top export destinations are Malaysia, Israel, Iraq, and the United States. In comparison and as evidence of continued growth in the sector, Türkiye’s pet food exports are less than 3,000 metric tons in 2016.”
The largest domestic pet food producer is Lider Pet Food which accounts for approximately 80-90% of pet food production in Türkiye.
Imported Brands
Domestic Brands
- Lider Pet Food with sub-brands; Spectrum, Reflex, Bonnie, Proline, King, Trendline, Enjoy, Jetix, New Dog, New Cat, Thunder
- Tropical Pet with sub-brands; Champion, Goody
- Effeffe Pet Food with sub-brands; Lavital, Vet One, ProNature, Paw in Love, EcoNature, Dost Pati, Croque, Pet Lover
- Hermos Pet with sub-brands; Clicker, Benefit, Mystic, MyFood, PawPaw
Domestic animal population in Türkiye
The Turkish Veterinary Association (TVHB) reports that approximately 4.5 million domestic dogs and 1.5 million cats live in the Anatolian country, according to the USDA. TVHB estimates that there are more than 10 million stray dogs and cats in total. About 5% of Turkish households currently own a dog and 14% own a cat. Another organization reported almost the opposite number of pet ownership. The European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) report “Facts and Figures 2022” stated that Turkey is home to 4,660,000 pet cats and 1,386,00 pet dogs.
Use of table scraps in Türkiye remains high compared to the US and EU USDA cites market sources stating that owners of approximately 35% of pet cats and 20% of pet dogs in Türkiye feed their animals commercial pet food. However, Turkish pet owners seem to be moving towards greater use of commercial diets.
