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Turkey livestock numbers rise as small ruminant population hits 60.8 million
According to June 2026 data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), Turkey’s livestock population has seen notable growth. The total number of small ruminants reached 60.8 million, a 5.1% increase from December 2025, driven largely by a 6% rise in sheep numbers. Large ruminant numbers reached 17.8 million, with cattle seeing a modest 0.5% increase, while buffalo numbers declined slightly by 0.2%.
Turan Saldırıcıer, President of the Turkish Central Union of Breeders of Sheep and Goats (TÜDKİYEB), stated that there is no supply issue regarding small ruminant meat. He highlighted government support measures, noting that basic subsidies for lambs and kids are 430 TL, which can rise to approximately 1,200 TL for young entrepreneurs. To address shepherd shortages, TÜDKİYEB has introduced a model to employ herd managers through formal contracts with minimum wage and insurance, with initial implementations starting in Sivas.
Despite the increase in animal numbers, retail meat prices remain high. Wholesale carcass prices for beef and lamb are significant, and retail prices for products like minced meat and beef tenderloin have reached levels that pose challenges for low-income consumers. Retail prices for beef tenderloin can reach up to 1,990 TL per kilogram.
Entities
Konya Butchers Chamber · Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry · National Red Meat Council · Turan Saldırıcıer · Turkey · Turkish Statistical Institute · TÜDKİYEB
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The basic support for each lamb and kid is 430 lira. www.haber16.com · www.sondakika.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] There is no supply issue regarding small ruminant meat. www.haber16.com · www.sondakika.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] TÜDKİYEB has implemented a model to employ herd managers via minimum wage and social security. www.aydinlik.com.tr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A minimum of 200 small ruminants is required to participate in the new employment model. www.aydinlik.com.tr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The first application of the herd manager employment model began in Sivas. www.aydinlik.com.tr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Young entrepreneurs can receive nearly 1,200 lira in support per animal. www.haber16.com · www.sondakika.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Turkey's small ruminant population reached 60.8 million as of June 2026. www.haber16.com · www.sondakika.com