Evaluation of decrease in buffalo population in Turkey from the economic viewpoint

Abstract

In this study the reasons of the decrease in Buffalo population in Turkey were investigated. The data obtained from this study were evaluated by time series analysis, calculation, and comparative analysis methods. In the study, the data from The Food and Agriculture Organization of The United Nations and Turkish Statistical Institute were used and the comparative analysis of some parameters (number of animals, milk production, carcass production, purpose of rearing, changes in milk and meat prices of breeders) of cattle and buffaloes were carried out. It was determined that the number of buffaloes in Turkey was reduced by 93% between 1970 and 2010. Annual milk production of buffaloes which was 830 kg/head in 1970 changed to 1004 kg/head as of 2010 with an increase of 21%. Cow milk production was 602 kg/head in 1970 and this increased to 3879 kg/head with an increase by 544%. Carcass production was 135kg/head in 1970 for adult buffalos and 85 kg/head for cattle, which increased to 211 kg/head and 218 kg/head, respectively. Carcass production increase between 1970 and 2010 was calculated to be 56% for buffalo and 156% for cattle. Prices of buffalo meat became lower than cattle beef in market of animal products in Turkey and price of cattle beef was calculated to be $4848 per tonne in average between 1991 and 2010. Within the same period average annual buffalo milk price was calculated as $4484 per tonne. Buffalo milk producer price became higher than cow milk as of 2007 and in 2010 cow milk/buffalo milk parity was determined as 1/2.