National Red Meat Council (UKON) Chairman Ahmet Hacıince stated that they are of the opinion that there will be no problem in the supply of red meat during the month of Ramadan and said, “We see that the Meat and Milk Institution (ESK) has made the necessary plans months in advance in order to maintain price stability, ensure supply security and ensure our citizens have access to basic food products at affordable prices.” he said.
In his written statement regarding the red meat market, Hacıince stated that public attention is especially focused on red meat as the month of Ramadan approaches.
Stating that every year there is an increase in demand 15 days before Ramadan and in the first week of Ramadan, and accordingly a relative increase in prices, Hacıince said, “The high or low price increases are closely related to the purchasing power of the supply and the consumer. Another feature of this period is that it is very open to manipulation. For this reason, in recent years, we have seen that the public authority has effectively intervened in the markets during this period.” made his assessment.
“SUPPLY AND DEMAND ARE IN BALANCE IN BEEF CARCASE MEAT PRICES”
Reminding that supply and demand were in balance in beef carcass meat prices in the last 10 weeks, Hacıince continued as follows:
“We think that the factors that are effective in not having high demand pressure this year are the low purchasing power of the consumer and the low prices of poultry and fish. We see that the Meat and Milk Institution has made the necessary plans months in advance in order to maintain price stability, ensure supply security and ensure that our citizens have access to basic food products at affordable prices. Organizations have been made for the supply of carcass meat from Europe and live animals for butchering from South America, and continuity of supply has been ensured.”
“UNCERTAINTIES ABOUT THE SUPPLY OF FEEDING MATERIALS ARE ELIMINATED”
Referring to the practices within the scope of the protocol made with PERDER and Agricultural Credit Cooperative markets, Hacıince emphasized that ESK’s aim to deliver products to citizens uninterruptedly and at affordable prices during Ramadan by simultaneously managing the price, stock and logistics aspects of red meat is a very comforting and reassuring situation for the sector.
Reminding that the Federation of Butchers also stated that it aims to offer red meat to citizens at prices that are at or very close to the cost of all butcher tradesmen within its organization during Ramadan, Hacıince pointed out that the operating and marketing costs are high because the butcher tradesmen supply almost all of the carcass meat from the domestic market at higher prices. Accordingly, Hacıince underlined that there is a significant difference between the product prices of the butchers and the market prices with which ESK has an agreement, and stated that it is positive that this situation, arising from commercial necessity, is tried to be turned in favor of the consumer by selling products close to the cost during Ramadan.
Pointing out that the most current issue in meat production is the elimination of uncertainties regarding the supply of fattening materials and clarification of the supply route and prices, Hacıince said:
“Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the General Directorate of Meat and Milk Institution received applications for import beef cattle. The expectation of our breeders is to determine the number of animals they can buy as soon as possible, and then to announce the price. We are of the opinion that there will be no problem in the supply of red meat during the month of Ramadan 2026.”
