China Tops Türkiye's Dairy Product Exports

Exports of dairy products to China continue to rise. During January-February 2021, Turkey's dairy sector achieved USD 9.3 million in exports, placing China at the top of the country list for dairy product shipments. The sector obtained export approval to China in 2020. Bedri Girit, Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Aquatic Products and Livestock Products Exporters Association, stated that they expect the USD 9.3 million export success achieved in the first two months of 2021 to continue throughout the year. Following the lifting of barriers to dairy and dairy product exports to China in May of the previous year as a result of collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Turkish dairy product exporters made a rapid market entry. According to data from the Aegean Exporters Associations, Turkey's exports of dairy products and manufactures to China during May-December 2020 reached USD 14.6 million. Exporters seeking to maintain a presence in this country increased their market share through promotional activities and mutual business cooperation. Exports to China during January-February 2021 were recorded at USD 9.3 million. Whey topped the list of exports to China with USD 8.3 million.

Turkish products find their place on shelves

Bedri Girit, Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Aquatic Products and Livestock Products Exporters Association, said that 54 of their companies in the dairy sector obtained export approval to China and that exports started rapidly. Pointing out that China is one of the world's largest consumers, Girit stated, "We started initially with milk powder. We were sending it to the industrial sector. Whey also ranks first in our exports to this country. However, what is encouraging is that with the success of Turkish companies, we are now also appearing on shelves. We are able to reach end consumers." Noting that Aegean companies have been very successful in the market and that a company in the region exports mozzarella cheese to China, Girit said they want companies to gain greater market share with high-value-added products. Girit concluded his remarks as follows: "In our previous statements, we said we wanted to establish a permanent presence in the Chinese market. Not only have we established a permanent presence, but our market share is gradually increasing. Looking at China's USD 6 billion dairy product imports, while it is a small amount for them, it is important for us. We expect the USD 9.3 million export success we achieved in the first month of the year to continue throughout the year. In the long term, we want to double these figures. We believe that thanks to the Chinese market, our dairy producers will be able to breathe."

Dairy product exports totaled USD 301 million

Turkey's dairy product exports in 2020 amounted to USD 301 million, while Iraq topped the list of export destinations with USD 61 million. Turkey exported USD 42 million to Saudi Arabia and USD 22 million to the United Arab Emirates. China ranked 7th on the list with USD 14.5 million in exports. During January-February 2021, Turkey's dairy product exports increased by 26%, rising from USD 32.8 million to USD 41.2 million. China became the new leader with USD 9.3 million, while Iraq imported USD 7.1 million of Turkish dairy products. Our dairy product exports to the United Arab Emirates amounted to USD 3.4 million.