April 20, 2023

Turkiye takes top spot for aquaculture production in Europe

Turkiye's Agriculture and Forestry Ministry said the country is the top aquaculture producer among all European Union (EU) member states, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

In 2022, Turkiye's aquaculture industry generated US$1.7 billion in export revenue, shipping goods to 103 countries.

The sector's output, which was more than 500,000 tonnes last year, is expected to be around 600,000 tonnes this year, according to the ministry.

In 2021, production was nearly 800,000 tonnes, with aquaculture farming accounting for 471,000 tonnes and fishing accounting for 328,000 tonnes.

In Turkiye's aquaculture farming industry, there are nearly 2,400 facilities in operation, with 1,800 inland facilities and 533 marine facilities.

These facilities primarily produce trout, bass, bream, and Turkish salmon.

Exports from Turkiye's aquaculture industry increased from 145,000 tonnes in 2016 to 239,000 tonnes in 2021, and then to 252,000 tonnes last year. In 2021, export revenues were US$1.37 billion.

Since 2003, the Turkiye government has given the local aquaculture industry a total of TRY 1.64 billion (~US$84.4 million; TRY 10 = US$0.52) in financial assistance. The amount was TRY 119 million (~US$6.1 million) in 2022 alone.

-      Hurriyet Daily News