A cluster analysis on the potential of livestock farming: Türkiye in a global context

This study aims to rank, and cluster countries in terms of some essential livestock indicators, and evaluate the subject with specific attention to the conditions existing in Türkiye. The study material covers 142 countries whose 2020 data were fully reported by the World Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Trade Organization, and the World Bank. It was determined that the most appropriate number of clusters would be 4 and significant differences were found between these clusters in terms of medium and high effect size for all indicators (P < 0.01). The cluster of 31 countries, according to the Ward algorithm, and the cluster of 37 countries according to the K-Means algorithm, both including Türkiye, were found to have higher averages than the other clusters in terms of related indicators (P < 0.01). The common elements in both clusters were determined: Türkiye, USA, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Ethiopia, Morocco, France, India, the Netherlands, England, Spain, Italy, Canada, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Colombia, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, and Russia. Taking into account the geographical proximity and economic relations, Türkiye should examine the livestock models followed by these countries and evaluate the possible areas of cooperation that can be developed and competition that could be faced by these countries.