Türkiyem-Bir re-elects chairman amid growth in Turkish feed industry

TÜRKIYE – The Turkish Feed Industrialists Association (Türkiyem-Bir), the national voice of Türkiye’s compound feed sector, has re-elected Murat Ülkü Karakuş as chairman during its 39th Ordinary General Assembly, held electronically on April 10, 2025. 

His renewed mandate signals industry confidence in steady leadership during a period of rapid change and opportunity.

Founded in 1974, Türkiyem-Bir currently represents 162 factories, accounting for 85% of Türkiye’s total compound feed output. 

The association maintains active memberships with both the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) and the European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC), positioning it as an essential player in international discussions on feed standards and trade.

Karakuş will lead a 14-member principal board that includes notable industry figures such as Önder Matlı, Zeki Zorbaz, Ülkü Karakuş, Bekir Taşkaldıran, and Mevlüt Solmaz, among others. 

Additionally, the alternate board features experienced professionals like M. Ali Çelikten, Abdullah Tepe, Fatih Duğancı, and Cengiz Gökçe, while the Supervisory and Discipline Boards now include members such as Muharrem Sarıaslan and Dr. Sait Koca. 

The leadership renewal comes at a time when Türkiye’s feed sector is undergoing significant transformation.

The Turkish animal feed market, valued at US$3.474 billion in 2020, is projected to reach US$4.857 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.5%. 

This expansion is fueled by favourable climatic conditions for feed ingredient production, the presence of key production facilities, and a rising demand from Türkiye’s growing livestock population.

The sector is a mix of large, integrated companies and smaller regional producers, with several international firms also operating in the market. 

A notable trend is the industry-wide shift toward more efficient feed formulation and the adoption of alternative ingredients to reduce costs and dependency on imports.

Despite these advances, the industry continues to face challenges related to regulatory compliance and stiff market competition. Türkiye’s dependence on imported raw materials for certain feed components also remains a concern, highlighting the need for resilient sourcing strategies.

Türkiyem-Bir’s continued leadership under Karakuş aims to address these challenges head-on, while promoting innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration within the sector.

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