Cat Dog Food Exports Increased 27 Times

Pet food industry; Emphasizing that the grains, pulses, oilseeds and products sector is one of the fastest growing sectors, Öztürk said, “Owning a pet has been a rising value in recent years. The pandemic period accelerated this process. The cat and dog food industry is growing rapidly both in the domestic market and in exports thanks to this favorable ground. In the 10-year period, the exports of our Aegean Cereals Pulses Oilseeds Exporters Association increased threefold from 3 million dollars to 360 billion 1 million dollars, while the exports of our cat and dog food industry in the Aegean Region increased from 68 million dollars to 1 million dollars, marking a 78-fold increase. While important companies in the sector operate within our Aegean Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds and Products Exporters Association, 78 percent of Turkey's exports are carried out from the Aegean region. New investors are entering the sector. We predict that we will reach the export level of 60 million dollars in the 5-year term.”

MALAYSIA, ISRAEL, IRAQ, USA, ENGLAND ARE THE COUNTRIES TO WHICH WE EXPORT THE MOST

President Öztürk said that the cat and dog food industry achieved a 2023 percent growth in exports in 38; “Our cat and dog food exports correspond to an increase of 2022 million dollars compared to 33,5. We exported to 2023 countries in 96. We increased our numbers significantly compared to last year in 96 of 78 countries. In 2023, we exported the most to Malaysia with 15,5 million dollars. Malaysia; Israel, Iraq, USA, England, Greece, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Georgia and Cyprus followed. Among our top 10 markets, the country where we increased our exports the most proportionally was Saudi Arabia, with an increase of 304 percent. "We exported over 26 million dollars to 1 countries," he informed.

Explaining that they expect the sector to continue its growth chart with an increase of around 2024-25 percent in 30, Muhammet Öztürk concluded his words as follows:

“We see it likely to exceed 2024 million dollars by the end of 150. We aim to further strengthen our sector's place in the markets where breakthroughs are made, and to remove the obstacles in front of our exporters by making progress towards solving the problems experienced by exporters in the sector. As the Aegean Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds and Products Exporters' Association, one of our goals this year is to evaluate the potential of such a vibrant and investment-receiving sector. As the Association, which carries out 60 percent of cat-dog food exports throughout Turkey, we will evaluate together with company representatives how we can better promote the cat-dog food industry abroad in 2024, how we can put our companies ahead in international competition, and carry out projects and activities in line with the opinions emerging. "Investments in the sector continue in the Aegean region, and it may be possible to see the sector increase several times the volume of Turkey in the coming years."

ÖZTÜRK; “WE PROVIDE FREE FOOD TO SHELTERS”

Mayor Öztürk also informed that they started a social responsibility project to provide food to animal shelters in the Aegean Region, free of charge, from Union member companies. Öztürk said, “As part of our social responsibility project, we first visited the 'Şopengazi Nebiha Earthquake Care Home' in İzmir Menderes. Our next visit and donation was to the Projects Association for Animals (HİPDER) in Kemalpaşa, Izmir. We delivered dog food, which we obtained free of charge from companies that are members of our Association, to the shelter for dogs in need of protection. We provide aid to a shelter every month. “We would like to thank Yüksel Paylanbaş, the Founder of our Union member company, DFC Pet Company, for contributing to our food.”

WE EXPECT SUPPORT FROM OFFICIAL INSTITUTIONS AND DONORERS

Funda Bonomo and Melih Kangaloğlu, Founders of Projects Association for Animals (HİPDER), emphasized that they need sustainable projects.

“In our association, we take care of around 250-300 dogs, most of which are disabled and orphaned. We work devotedly with our volunteers. We also provide veterinary services to sick animals stranded on the streets. All our animals have a story. “We expect support from official institutions and donors.”