Current Status of Goose Breeding in the World and Türkiye
Abstract
Goose production represents a relatively small but economically and culturally important branch of the global poultry sector. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the current status, production characteristics, and international trade structure of goose breeding worldwide and in Türkiye using recent statistical data and relevant literature sources. Although geese are utilized for meat, fatty liver, feathers/down, egg production, and alternative production systems, global goose production remains highly concentrated geographically. According to recent FAO statistics, China overwhelmingly dominates both world goose population and goose meat production. In 2024, Asia accounted for approximately 89.66% of the global goose population, while China alone represented 88.68% of the world goose population and 98.05% of global goose meat production. In contrast, geese represented only 1.29% of the total world poultry population. In Türkiye, goose breeding is predominantly based on indigenous local populations raised under traditional free-range village systems, although semi-intensive production systems have become increasingly widespread in recent years. Kars province consistently maintained the highest goose population in Türkiye during the last decade. However, goose production in Türkiye continues to face several important constraints, including low reproductive performance, hatchability problems, limited breeding stock availability, insufficient integrated slaughtering and processing infrastructure, and regionally concentrated consumption patterns. Despite its relatively limited contribution to total poultry production, goose breeding remains an important alternative poultry sector with substantial potential for sustainable expansion. Future development of the sector will largely depend on advances in genetic improvement, reproductive management, hatchability efficiency, modern production systems, processing infrastructure, and value-added product development.
