January 21, 2020

Turkey exported more than US$1 billion worth of aquaculture produce in 2019

Sinan Kiziltan, fisheries and animal products sector board of the Turkish exporters assembly (TİM) chairman said the country hit more than US$1.02 billion in aquaculture exports, a 7% year on year increase, reported Daily Sabah.

The TİM chairman said the country's aquaculture sector currently exports to 80 foreign markets, with 60% of aquaculture produce exported to European Union countries.

Turkey's aquaculture exports include seabass (US$296 million), sea bream (US$255 million), salmon (US$104 million) and tuna (US$86 million).

Kiziltan said Turkey's aquaculture industry is looking to expand its export market to Asia, after successfully penetrating the Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Greece and Japan.

He added that they have entered China in 2019 with Turkish tuna and salmon, and estimates aquaculture exports to hit US$1.1 billion this year.

While the export market is a success, Kiziltan said domestic production has not reached its desired goal, with annual consumption in Turkey at only five to six kilograms. EU countries consume an average of 22 to 23 kilograms of fish per year.

-      Daily Sabah