According to Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) data, the number of cattle in Türkiye was 16 million 583 thousand in 2023, 16 million 986 thousand in 2024, and 17 million 709 thousand in 2025.
The increase continued in 2026. As of June 2026, cattle existence reached 17 million 805 thousand heads.
Thus, from 2023 to June 2026, a 7.4 percent increase in total cattle existence was recorded. The number of animals increased by over 1 million 200 thousand in the said period.
With the increase in animal population in the country, the permits given to import beef cattle were gradually reduced.
While fattening cattle imports will be open to the private sector in 2023, 686 thousand 348 heads of fattening cattle entered Türkiye during this period.
Within the scope of the Livestock Road Map announced in 2024, imports started to be carried out through the Meat and Milk Institution (ESK). In addition, separate quotas were determined for enterprises with 200 heads and above and below 200 heads, ensuring that small producers were also taken into consideration.
Import permits were reduced from 600 thousand head in 2024 to 520 thousand head in 2025 and to 500 thousand head in 2026.
After ESK took over the import in 2024, the number of animals entering Türkiye remained below the planned quota.
Fattening cattle imports reached 479 thousand 803 heads in 2024 and 428 thousand 569 heads in 2025. In 2026, as of September 15, 252 thousand 24 head of animals were imported.
At the end of the year, imports are expected to be approximately 350 thousand head.
According to the data, the aim is to use imports as needed and in a controlled manner, without creating excess supply in the market.
In 2027, permission was planned to import a total of 480 thousand head of fattening cattle, based on the needs of the domestic market.
In the new period, it is planned to implement a new distribution model that protects small producers and gives priority to businesses that constantly raise livestock. Thus, the aim is to deliver imported materials directly to enterprises that produce and contribute to sustainable livestock farming.
In line with these data, it is stated that beef cattle imports are used as a complementary tool that balances the supply in the domestic market rather than a source that replaces domestic production.
Importance is also given to strengthening the stock of maternal animals in order to meet the need for fattening materials from domestic producers in the long term.
In this context, the work carried out with the "Rural Abundance Livestock Support Project" stands out. It is stated that rural producers showed great interest in the project, and there was an increase in the demand for pregnant heifers, especially beef breeds.
The supply of pregnant meat breed heifers, which was approximately 50 thousand head last year, reached 130 thousand head as of September 2026. This number is expected to reach approximately 200 thousand by the end of the year.
The numbers of fattening cattle that have been granted import permits and entered the country as of 2023 are as follows:
Year | Total import permit | 200 heads and above | 200 head and below | entering the dormitory
2023 | - | - | - | 686,348
2024 | 600,000 | 450,000 | 150,000 | 479,803
2025 | 520,000 | 400,000 | 120,000 | 428,569
2026 (as of September 15) | 500,000 | 392,000 | 108,000 | 252,024
2027 | 480,000 | 380,000 | 100,000 | -
