The sector, which has become a major export driver since the early 2000s, has grown from $1 billion to $1.7 billion in export value.

This positive trend was highlighted during the recent FEAP (Federation of European Aquaculture Producers) General Assembly held in Istanbul. The event brought together representatives from 17 countries to discuss the future of aquaculture.

Sinan Kızıltan, Chairman of the Sector Board of the Turkish Fisheries and Animal Products Exporters' Association, attributed the success to several factors. He noted that Türkiye ranks second globally in trout production and exports bluefin tuna from the Mediterranean and off the coast of Malta.

Turkish aquaculture facilities are also at the forefront of technology and integration, according to Kızıltan. The country's mainstays for export include fresh and refrigerated varieties of sea bass, sea bream, trout, salmon, and tuna (including smoked options).

Kızıltan emphasized the industry's ambitious plans to export these protein-rich products to over 100 countries. He also revealed that the association had previously projected fisheries and aquatic product exports to reach $1.679 billion by 2023.

"We were among the first sectors to achieve our 2023 export goals," Kızıltan said, exceeding the $1 billion export threshold for the first time. Key export products include Mediterranean sea bass, sea bream, Turkish salmon, rainbow trout, bluefin tuna, and rock sea bass.

Turgay Türkyılmaz, General Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, provided additional insights. He highlighted that aquaculture now contributes nearly 60% of Türkiye's total aquatic product production, which reached approximately 1 million tons in 2023.

Furthermore, Türkiye boasts a net trade surplus in aquatic products, exporting $1.7 billion in 2023 while keeping imports at $272 million. This signifies that farm-raised fish are the driving force behind the country's aquatic product exports, accounting for roughly 80% of the total. (ILKHA)