Turkish salmon exports increased 17-fold in 5 years

Turkish salmon production, which was 5 thousand tons 10 years ago, has reached 100 thousand tons today. If Turkish salmon maintains its current production and export growth rate, it shows that it is a candidate for leadership in exports in the near future, surpassing sea bass and sea bream.

According to Aegean Exporters' Associations data; while Turkey's Turkish salmon exports were 29 million dollars in 2019, it multiplied its exports every year thereafter, reaching 498 million dollars by the end of 2024.

While the Russian Federation maintains its clear leadership in Turkish salmon exports with 356 million dollars; we sent 36 million dollars worth of Turkish salmon to Germany and 26 million dollars worth to Vietnam.

TURKISH SALMON EXPORTS INCREASED BY 31 PERCENT IN 2024

Sinan Kızıltan, Chairman of the Sector Board of the Turkish Fisheries and Animal Products Exporters' Associations, stated that great progress has been made in Turkish salmon production and exports through the joint efforts of the Turkish aquaculture sector and universities, that exports reached 498 million dollars from 349 million dollars with a 31 percent increase in 2024, and that Turkish salmon exports have shown a 17-fold increase in the last 5 years.

Pointing out that healthy nutrition is gaining value every day worldwide, Kızıltan said, "Factors such as the richness of Turkish salmon in terms of omega-3 fatty acids and its being a protein source increase interest in Turkish salmon. The water conditions and climate conditions in our Black Sea region are ideal for salmon farming. The climate characteristics in the Black Sea support the increase in production. The development of technologies used for salmon farming and the establishment of modern facilities are also among the factors that increase production efficiency."

Providing the information that the number of companies exporting Turkish salmon in Turkey has exceeded 60, Kızıltan continued: "A great success has been achieved in Turkey's aquaculture exports. Exports, which were only at the level of 59 million dollars in the 2000s, exceeded 2 billion 19 million dollars by the end of 2024 with a 34-fold increase. As a sector, our goal is to reach 2.5 billion dollars in 2027."

Underlining that Turkey's annual aquaculture production exceeded 1 million tons according to 2023 data, Kızıltan emphasized that significant progress has been made in the aquaculture sector thanks to investments in modern facilities. Kızıltan concluded his words by saying, "While 556 thousand tons of aquatic products are obtained through aquaculture in Turkey, this method constitutes 55 percent of total production. Norway exports 15 billion dollars annually in the aquaculture sector. As Turkey, we can also reach these levels."

AEGEAN REGION IS THE LEADER IN AQUACULTURE EXPORTS

The Aegean Region maintained its leadership in aquaculture exports. The Aegean Region's aquaculture exports increased by 15 percent from 1 billion 127 million dollars to 1 billion 292 million dollars.

The Aegean Region alone realized 64 percent of Turkey's aquaculture exports.

Sea bass maintained its leadership in aquaculture exports with 570 million dollars. Sea bass exports showed a 10 percent increase compared to 2023.

The top three countries in sea bass exports were England with 126 million dollars, Italy with 85 million dollars, and the Netherlands with 84 million dollars.

The second most exported fish species in the aquaculture sector was sea bream, which increased its exports by 22 percent from 417 million dollars to 508 million dollars.

While Italy ranked first in sea bream exports with 100 million dollars, Italy was followed by Greece with 75 million dollars and the Netherlands with 72 million dollars.

Bluefin tuna exports increased by a record 153 percent in 2024, rising from 51 million dollars to 129 million dollars.

While a large portion of our bluefin tuna exports, amounting to 99 million dollars, was made to Japan, South Korea demanded 29 million dollars worth of bluefin tuna.

While trout exports amounted to 117 million dollars, 25.5 million dollars in foreign currency revenue was obtained from sea bass (rock bass) exports. Our other aquaculture exports increased by 16 percent from 181 million dollars to 210 million dollars.

While Germany became the leading country with a demand for 52 million dollars worth of trout, Germany was followed by Russia with 18 million dollars and the Netherlands with 9.5 million dollars.

News Source: 12punto