15.12.2025 14:00
Due to foot-and-mouth disease, the increased slaughter during the summer months has led to a decrease in livestock, resulting in a shortage of beef in the country. As supply has fallen, the prices of red meat have rapidly risen, with beef carcass slaughter fees approaching 600 lira. Industry representatives indicate that it is becoming difficult to find animals to be slaughtered and that price increases may continue.
Due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, a significant increase in red meat prices has begun as the number of cattle and cows has decreased due to their slaughter during the summer months.
According to the Association of All Milk, Meat, and Breeding Cattle Producers (TÜSEDAD), the foot-and-mouth disease observed across the country has caused great damage to the livestock sector. The disease, which is expected to lead to losses that will even affect the next few years, is estimated to cause a 30% loss in beef cattle and a 20% loss in dairy cattle. Due to these slaughters, there is a serious shortage of beef in the country, and the increase in red meat prices that started last month continues. The slaughter fees for beef carcasses have increased by amounts reaching 125 lira compared to September, nearing 600 lira, while the prices of minced meat and diced meat at butchers have also started to burn pockets.
BEEF SLAUGHTER FEE RISES TO 575 LIRA
The Bursa Breeding Cattle Producers Union published the slaughter fees on December 13. Compared to the prices from about a month ago, on November 14, the slaughter fees for Holstein cattle weighing 400 kilograms and above have increased by 80 lira, rising from 460 lira to 540 lira. The slaughter fees for all Holstein cattle have increased by 80 lira, reaching 440 lira for those weighing 250 kilograms and below, 500 lira for those between 251-350 kilograms, and 520 lira for those between 351-400 kilograms. In other beef breeds, there was an increase of 85 lira, with slaughter prices rising from 475 to 575 lira for those weighing from 250 kilograms and below to those weighing 400 kilograms and above.
"THERE ARE NO ANIMALS TO BE SLAUGHTERED"
Bülent Tunca, a board member of the Bursa Breeding Cattle Producers Union, pointed out the abundance of cattle going to slaughter due to foot-and-mouth disease, stating, "Prices are rising due to the abundance of animals. When animals are sent to slaughter due to foot-and-mouth disease, the supply in the market increased, and red meat prices remained stable for a while. Now, animals are coming from outside. When sufficient animals do not come and local animals are not enough to meet the demand, red meat prices have started to rise." - BURSA