Turkish authorities have decided to impose a temporary ban on chicken meat exports in an attempt to control skyrocketing poultry prices.

This move comes amid a surge in domestic demand for chicken as a more affordable alternative to red meat, which has seen significant price increases in recent months.

The Ministry of Trade is spearheading this initiative to address the growing scarcity of chicken within Türkiye.  Chicken prices have reportedly doubled due to the high demand, fueled by the costliness of red meat. There are also suspicions that producers might be withholding chicken from slaughter to further inflate prices.

The export ban aims to stabilize domestic chicken prices and ensure sufficient supply for Turkish consumers.

The situation is compounded by the sharp rise in red meat prices.  Beef prices currently average between $17 and $20 per kilogram, with uncut carcasses costing around $12 per kilogram. This significant increase has pushed many consumers towards chicken as a more budget-friendly option, leading to the current shortage. (ILKHA)