Turkiye’s position in global poultry production is becoming more strategic, according to Dariusz Pietras, Elanco CEERTMEA Executive Director. Speaking after Elanco’s Istanbul meeting, Pietras said the country stands at the center of a highly dynamic poultry production region with strong capacity, growth potential and access to surrounding markets.

For Pietras, this importance is not limited to Turkiye alone. The wider region, covering emerging markets across Europe, the Middle East and neighboring geographies, is becoming increasingly relevant for global animal protein supply.

Elanco’s priority, he said, is to remain close to customers. Innovation can only create real value when it reaches the field, responds to producer needs and fits local production realities. This is why Turkiye and the surrounding region are significant in Elanco’s long-term strategy.

Pietras emphasized that Elanco’s commitment to the poultry industry remains strong. The company will continue investing in areas that support animal health, production performance and sustainable protein supply.

Among these areas, intestinal integrity stands out as a central focus. Pietras said gut health is closely linked to performance, sustainability and production efficiency. In a market environment shaped by feed costs, disease pressure and demand for affordable protein, intestinal integrity has become a business-critical topic.

He also identified vaccine technologies as one of Elanco’s important future innovation areas. The company aims to develop solutions that protect animal health, support production performance and contribute to sustainable protein production.

Geopolitical uncertainty was also part of the discussion. Pietras noted that the industry would benefit from a more stable global environment, but added that Elanco remains committed to supplying products and services to customers regardless of external challenges.

For The Animal Economics, the message is clear: Turkiye’s poultry industry is no longer only a regional production story. Its location, production capacity and technical development make it part of the broader global protein economy.

As poultry continues to be one of the most accessible animal protein sources, regions that can combine scale, efficiency and technical know-how will become more important. Pietras’ comments suggest that Elanco sees Turkiye as one of these strategic production hubs.