Coronavirus hurts Turkish egg and chicken meat producers

Corn prices have gone up from 145 USD to 195 USD per ton which is the main cost item in egg and chicken meat production. However, with the closing of the borders, Turkish egg exports to Iraq have stagnated.

Another problem is the chicken meat price in the domestic market which has remained around the same level in the last 5 years. Currently, chicken meat price is around 1.5 USD per kg whereas red meat price is around 9 USD per kg. The chicken meat producers point out that the gap between these two products is too big and chicken meat should cost at least one-third of red meat around 3 USD per kg.

Right now with exports slowing down and profit margins being low, a lot of egg and chicken meat companies are struggling financially.