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Türkiye’s aquaculture exports increased by 4% in the first half of 2024, reaching $973.8 million, while Russia emerged as the leading buyer, according to data compiled from the Aegean Fisheries and Animal Products Exporters' Association.
The figure accounts for a rise from $934.1 million during the same period last year, despite a slight drop in export volume. Other major destinations included Italy, the Netherlands, Greece, and the United Kingdom.
Turkish salmon emerged as the fastest-growing product in Türkiye’s aquaculture sector in the first half of 2024, with export revenues climbing 17% year-on-year to $217 million.
The species—technically a variety of trout farmed in the Black Sea—has seen rising demand across global markets.
According to industry data, Türkiye produced 32,000 tons of Turkish salmon in the first six months of the year.
With harvesting completed by July, the entire stock of both fresh and frozen products is expected to be sold by year-end, generating an estimated $500–600 million in export earnings, primarily benefiting producers in the Black Sea region.
Sector representatives project that continued investment in processing and filleting capacity will enable entry into new international markets.
Long-term forecasts indicate that Turkish salmon exports could surpass $1 billion annually by 2032, or by 2035 at the latest.
Sinan Kiziltan, head of the Fisheries and Animal Products Sector Board at the Türkiye Exporters' Association, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the rise in global seafood prices was largely driven by stagnant or declining production among rival exporters.
He noted that Türkiye has benefited from this shift, particularly in the European market. Kiziltan credited the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for supporting aquaculture development, particularly in production zones like the Black Sea, which have rapidly increased their contribution to national export earnings.
“We came close to our $1 billion goal for the first half,” Kiziltan said. “If this performance continues, we expect to exceed $2 billion in aquaculture exports by year-end.”
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