Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormFresh (Chilled)
Industry PositionProcessed Dairy Product (Whey Cheese)
Market
In Türkiye, “curd” in the dairy context commonly aligns with lor peyniri, a fresh whey-cheese product recognized under the Turkish Food Codex Cheese Communiqué as a “whey cheese” consumed fresh. It is produced by separating whey serum proteins after heat treatment (with acidity conditions applied as needed) and is widely marketed for household cooking and bakery/pastry applications. Packaged retail lor is commonly made from pasteurized whey and requires chilled storage, with some SKUs using modified/protective atmosphere packaging. Market access is strongly shaped by veterinary controls for animal products and by animal-health events (e.g., foot-and-mouth disease) that can disrupt milk supply and trigger trade restrictions or additional certification requirements.
Market RoleDomestic producer and consumer market for fresh whey curd cheese (lor peyniri), with some bulk and retail commercialization and potential regional export where veterinary conditions allow
Domestic RoleFresh whey-cheese/curd used in home cooking and as an ingredient for bakery/pastry fillings (e.g., böreklik/baking-grade formats) alongside standard retail consumption
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
SeasonalityGenerally available year-round as a by-product-derived fresh dairy product; supply can tighten during animal-disease events that constrain milk collection and movements.
Specification
Primary VarietyLor peyniri (peyniraltı suyu peyniri / whey curd cheese)
Physical Attributes- Fresh, soft/semi-soft whey-cheese/curd intended for fresh consumption
- Produced from whey (may also be produced from whey mixed with milk/cream, depending on product type and standard)
Compositional Metrics- Typically sold as a fresh whey-cheese product; moisture and fat-class labeling practices are governed by the Turkish Food Codex Cheese Communiqué where applicable.
Grades- Retail consumer packs vs. bulk “böreklik”/foodservice packs are common commercial distinctions.
Packaging- Sealed retail packs (e.g., 500 g) and bulk packs (e.g., 10 kg) are marketed in Türkiye.
- Some retail SKUs are packaged in modified/protective atmosphere.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Cheese/yogurt processing generates whey → whey collection/clarification → optional acidity adjustment → heating to precipitate whey proteins → curd separation/draining → cooling → packaging (some SKUs in modified atmosphere) → chilled distribution
Temperature- Chilled storage requirement is indicated for retail lor (example SKU storage: 4–10 °C).
Atmosphere Control- Modified/protective atmosphere packaging is used for some retail lor SKUs.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Animal Health HighFoot-and-mouth disease (FMD) risk in Türkiye can lead to movement controls, animal market closures, and reduced milk yields, which can disrupt curd/lor production and trigger importing-country restrictions or additional heat-treatment/certification requirements for dairy products.Use suppliers with strong veterinary compliance and traceability; monitor WOAH/official notifications and destination-market import conditions; contract contingency supply from approved/eligible zones and validate required heat-treatment and certification documentation pre-shipment.
Regulatory Compliance HighImports of dairy/animal products into Türkiye can be delayed or rejected if control-document requirements, pre-notification, health certification, or document/identity matching is incomplete; physical checks may include temperature verification and sampling/lab testing.Confirm whether the shipment is subject to a Control Document; complete VGB pre-notification; align labels/seals with certificates; run a pre-arrival document reconciliation checklist with the importer and border point requirements.
Food Safety MediumCheese/whey-cheese products must comply with Turkish Food Codex rules on permitted additives, hygiene, microbiological criteria, packaging materials, and labeling; non-compliance can cause enforcement actions and recalls/withdrawals.Validate additive use against the Turkish Food Codex Food Additives Regulation; implement HACCP-based hygiene controls; maintain batch/lot records and shelf-life controls consistent with labeling and storage requirements.
FAQ
What does “curd” typically refer to in Türkiye’s dairy market, and how is it defined by regulation?In Türkiye, “curd” in the dairy context commonly aligns with lor peyniri (a whey-cheese/curd). The Turkish Food Codex Cheese Communiqué explicitly defines “whey cheeses” as products obtained by separating whey serum proteins after heat treatment (under certain acidity conditions) and notes lor peyniri as an example consumed fresh.
What are typical ingredients and storage expectations for retail lor sold in Türkiye?Retail lor is commonly sold as pasteurized whey-based cheese with salt, kept under chilled storage. One mainstream retail listing specifies ingredients as pasteurized whey (milk), salt, and storage at 4–10°C, and also notes modified/protective atmosphere packaging.
If importing dairy/animal products into Türkiye, what are the key veterinary control steps that can affect clearance?Türkiye’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry describes that many animal products are subject to veterinary checks at entry, including document, identity, and physical checks that may include temperature checks, sampling, and lab tests. For products subject to a Control Document, the importer must obtain that document before import and provide pre-notification using the Veterinary Entry Document (VGB).