November 14, 2023

Turkey's aquaculture exports hit more than $1.4 billion in first 10 months of this year

Turkey's aquaculture exports have reached $1.404 billion in the first 10 months of 2023, showing an increase compared to the same period in 2022, according to a report from the Aegean Exporters' Associations.

A remarkable 68% of exports came from the Aegean region.

Diving into the specifics of aquaculture product exports, sea bass emerged as the frontrunner with an impressive $435 million, followed by sea bream at $353 million, salmon at $315 million and trout at $96 million.

The Aegean Exporters' Associations' report highlighted that 73% of sea bass and 78% of sea bream were exported fresh, while 74% of salmon exports were frozen.

The United Kingdom ranked first in fresh sea bass exports with $29 million. Russia was by far the leading country for frozen salmon and frozen trout exports with a demand of $158 million.

In a significant development, Sinan Kızıltan, chairman of the Sector Board of the Turkish Aquaculture and Animal Products Exporters' Associations, has unveiled the industry's remarkable performance and set a 2024 target that will escalate from the current year-end projection of $1.7 billion to an ambitious $2 billion.

Kızıltan underlined Turkey's global dominance in aquaculture, citing exports to over 100 countries and positioning the country as the leading supplier to the European market.

"The Turkish aquaculture sector has achieved an extraordinary 30-fold increase in exports in 23 years, starting from around $50 million in 2000," he stated. "We are on track to reach $1.7 billion by the end of 2023, with an even more ambitious target of $2 billion in 2024. Our relentless efforts, including the use of air cargo options, are strengthening our foothold in distant markets, with a particular focus on the US."

- Hürriyet Daily News and Economic Review