In March 2022, we warned about the problems in milk production with the headline ‘The Producer Consumes The Zero’ in the Milli Gazete. According to the data of ‘Milk and Dairy Products Production November 2022’ published by TURKSTAT, the fear became real. According to the data announced, there was a 6,1 percent decrease in milk production in November compared to the same month of the previous year. In the January-November period, milk production decreased by 3,2 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
According to industry representatives, the decrease in annual milk production is more than 10 percent, and this figure even reaches 15 percent regionally. At this point, milk production has decreased, inflation in milk and dairy products has increased and the livestock sector in Turkey has entered a dead end that is difficult to recover from. Milk producer Mahmut Gencer, whose headline we have included the statement “dairy producers have to slaughter their milk-producing animals”, spoke to the Milli Gazete again about the milk crisis.
“EVERY LAST YEAR MAKES THE PREVIOUS YEAR TO BE MISSED”
Stating that the crisis in livestock started towards the end of 2018, milk producer Mahmut Gencer said, “Although only producers suffered from the presence of animals in the past years, this situation did not reflect on either the industrialist or the consumer. Because there was an oversupply of milk production. Unfortunately, with each passing year, the previous year has been lost. Increasing costs, suppressing meat and milk and selling them at less than value put all producers at a loss every year. Some sold their animals piecemeal, some left the industry completely. In particular, 2022 was the final year of this work. Everyone who could not stand it without saying more or less left the industry. It is not known how much the TURKSTAT data reflects the truth, but towards the end of 2022, the brake of the truck exploded, unfortunately, and the last feared became reality. Animal numbers has reached perhaps the lowest levels in history compared to consumption in the country.”
“WE, AS MANUFACTURERS, HAVE BEEN CHARGED”
Drawing attention to the decrease in milk production, Mahmut Gencer said, “The milk produced has decreased so much that unfortunately, the factories started stealing each other's customers because they couldn't find milk to process. Therefore, this gave rise to competition and increased milk prices. Raw milk prices have not risen fairly despite rising costs. Factories increased the price in order not to close their shutters due to the shrinkage of supply. Of course, the scapegoat in the media was again the producers. I think the state has sacrificed animal husbandry in order to manage the economic crisis that has been going on for 4 years.”
“THE POINT WE REACHED IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF WRONG POLICIES”
Mahmut Gencer said, “If the prices of dairy products on the shelves are increasing today, it is because the factories are not working at full capacity, rather than the price increase of raw milk. Unfortunately, this point is the result of wrongly implemented policies from beginning to end. Factories that did not look at the face of the producer yesterday, are now looking for milk from door to door. As a result, it was a pity for the manufacturer, a pity for the industry, a pity for this nation.”