A round table was held on “Poultry and Egg Production” between Azerbaijan and Turkey

The round table on “Poultry and Egg production” was organized by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the “Poultry Meat Producers and Breeders Association” and the Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation. Entrepreneurs working in this field took part in the event aimed at exchanging experience between Azerbaijan and Turkey.

By greeting everyone Osman Çakir – Head of the Border Control of Animal and Animal Products Department of the Republic of Turkey gave the floor to ASK’s Vice President Zakir Azimov.

Zakir Azimov informed that the purpose of the meeting was to exchange views and study experience in the field of poultry and egg production.

The presentation organized by Mr Farid Valizadeh, Advisor to the President of the ASK, to inform the guests regarding the current situation in the field of poultry and egg production in Azerbaijan. He noted that the total meat production stood at 335.7 tons and total poultry production accounts for the 112.000 tons in 2019. F. Valizadeh conveyed statistics on chicken production and import from 2000 to 2019. At the same time, he mentioned that per capita meat consumption in Azerbaijan in 2019 was 40.7 kilograms in which 15 kilograms fell to the category of chicken meat. It has also been said by Farid Valizadeh 1.8 million eggs were produced in Azerbaijan in 2019.

Azimov also informed the guests that 24,000 poultry meat was produced in 2000 while thanks to the tight support of the state, the production for the year of 2020 account for 112,000 tons. He said that the country’s demand for eggs is already fully met by local production.

The ASK Vice President stated the significance of exchanging experience to perceive how these problems are solved by Turkey since a variety of problems exist in the field of poultry in our country. Through the discussions, the participant thoughts were heard on whether the vaccination against bird flu has been carried out in Turkey, generally how the struggle was established against this and the prominent factors affecting the price of the product of proteins used in poultry.

The Department Director of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Food and Control Mr Umit Zoray stressed that the production area where the bird flu occurs, tools and equipment in along with animals which cannot be disinfected are destroyed and the entrepreneur is compensated. In addition to that, the participants were attended regarding the situation in the vaccinated countries and quarantine conditions.

According to Ahmet Ergun, Secretary-General of the Association of White Meat Producers and Breeders, Turkey consumes 22 kilograms chicken per capita per year. Annually, 2.2 million poultry meat is produced in which 500.000 tons are exported.

In response to Zakir Azimov’s question, Ahmet Ergun emphasized that they also faced difficulties in feeding the birds, mainly preferring the soy products and not using the cottonseed meal.

Mr. Ibrahim Afyon, Head of the Central Union of Egg Producers of Turkey (YUM-BİR), said that 22 million eggs are produced in Turkey annually in which one-third of eggs are exported. He mentioned that this production was acquired from 300 million chickens. Afyon has also underscored that eggs produced in Turkey are exported to Russia and neighbouring countries through Azerbaijani entrepreneurs.

By welcoming the participants, Mr. Hakki Barutcu, Head of the Department of the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Turkey, gave an official speech on the importance of the Agreement of Preferential Trade signed between Azerbaijan and Turkey. He noted that the poultry and egg products could be involved in the category of enshrined in the agreement.

Gulperi Tashliyurt mentioned that the Action Plan signed at the meeting of the 8th meeting of High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Republic of Azerbaijan and Republic of Turkey includes an article on expanding trade between two states and the meeting will also be included in the report for the implementation of this article.

ASK Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Fuad Humbatov thanked Gulperi Tashliyurta, Representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey delegated to Azerbaijan, and Ahmet Ergun, Secretary-General of the Union of White Meat Producers and Breeders for their full support in holding the meeting.