In 2023, Turkey’s Aquaculture and Animal Products Sector celebrated a significant milestone, as exports soared to an impressive 3.5 billion USD. Undoubtedly, the Aquaculture Sector emerged as the driving force behind this success, contributing a substantial 1.7 billion USD to the nation’s export figures.

Turkey’s global outreach spans across 92 countries, with a notable 42 percent of its exports finding a home in European Union (EU) nations. Breaking down the numbers, 2023 saw Turkey export 325 million USD to Russia, 188 million USD to Italy, 156 million USD to the United Kingdom, 149 million USD to the Netherlands, and 118 million USD to Greece. Impressively, Aegean exporters orchestrated 67 percent of Turkey’s aquatic products exports, with the Aegean Region alone boasting aquaculture exports totaling 1.127 billion USD.

The journey of Turkey’s aquaculture production and exports has been marked by significant strides, a testament to the strategic investments made in recent years. Looking ahead, the industry aims to tap into the vast potential of the African market, outlining ambitious projects slated for 2024.

Ufuk Atakan Demir, a distinguished Member of the Board of Directors of the Aegean Aquaculture and Animal Products Exporters Association, as well as the President of the Izmir Aquaculture Growers and Producers Association, shared insights into Turkey’s aspirations. “Our goal for Turkey’s overall aquaculture exports is to reach 2 billion USD,” stated Demir. He emphasized that the industry’s progress is closely tied to the influx of modern and integrated facilities introduced by Turkish entrepreneurs over the last two decades.

To further elevate Turkey’s standing in the global market, plans are underway to strategically target Africa in 2024. Various projects are on the horizon, aimed at positioning Turkish aquaculture products as key players in this priority market. Demir highlighted the industry’s international visibility efforts, showcasing the sector at fairs worldwide—from China to the USA, Russia to France, and Spain to Singapore. The goal is to maintain this momentum and extend the industry’s reach to countries like Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Venezuela, Panama, Algeria, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

In a bid to strengthen efforts to showcase Turkish fish in the American, European Union, and Chinese markets, the industry plans to launch a Turquality project solely focused on aquatic products, collaborating with associations in the Aegean, Istanbul, Mediterranean, and Eastern Black Sea regions.