Animal husbandry plays an important role in Turkey's agricultural sector and economy. The share of animal husbandry in the total agricultural output is around 25%. As of 2024 the number of cattle totals approximately 17 million, buffalo around 162 thousand, sheep around 44 million, goat around 11 million. They are kept mainly on the grazing lands of Anatolia. Wool is a significant export of Turkey, which is also used internally for making world-famous Turkish carpets. Around 22,5 million tons of milk was produced from these animals in 2024.
Poultry production expanded rapidly after 1980's, Turkey has reached the level of developed nations in this sector: it's the world's 10th and Europe's 2nd biggest poultry meat producer with 2,1 million tons of poultry meat (as of 2017). Meanwhile, annual chick production in the country reaches 640 million, including 40 million for egg production. In 2017 around 17,9 billion (1,2 million tons) of eggs were produced.Today, animal husbandry receives State support; artificial insemination, breeding, apiculture, fish farming, fodder and milk production are mainly supported.
Source: partly from the Directorate General of Press and Information (BYEGM) and from Turkish Statistical Institude (TUIK)