Turkish chicken gets green light from Russia
After receiving permission to export to the European Union, Turkey’s white meat sector finally got enthe green light from Russia.
After an 11-strong delegation from Russia visited Turkey and examined companies in the sector in September, six Turkish firms – Banvit, Şeker Piliç, Keskinoğlu, Er Piliç, CP and Şenpiliç – received preliminary permission to export products to Russia.
In the 1990s, Russia imposed a ban on Turkish meat imports due to foot-and-mouth disease. Now, the ban has been lifted on these six companies. “We plan to start exports next year,” said Emre Bor, managing director of Şeker Piliç. “We are just waiting for detailed information from Russia on how much they will request and what the customs tax will be.”
Russia imports more than 1 million tons of chicken annually, Bor said, adding that this is a “serious” amount for Turkish producers. The companies may have a transportation advantage over rivals, he added.
“Exports have not started yet,” said Nezih Gençer, deputy chief executive of CP Turkey. “Russia has to announce new decisions to complement this first step.”
Exporters are anxious for the shipping to begin because of a recent Russian limit on chicken imports from the United States, according to Yüce Canoler, secretary-general of a sector association. “Russia imports 1.2 million tons of chicken annually. A few years ago it announced it will purchase 750,000 tons less from that country. Thus, the market has a supply deficit that can be closed by Turkish companies.”
