Salmon production credited for boosting Turkey's 2024 seafood exports

Turkey's seafood exports reaching a record-high figure of US$2.02 billion in 2024 can be credited to the country's salmon farming industry, the Chairman of the Turkish Fisheries Exporters' Association (TFEA) said recently.

Sinan Kiziltan said Turkey's success can be attributed to the growing production and export of salmon in addition to that of seabream and bass.

Data collected by the TFEA showed that aquaculture facilities in the country totalled around 2,400 in 2024, nearly double the figure at the end of 2002. Annual production had also increased significantly, with 850,000 tons of farmed seafood being exported last year.

Salmon, seabream and bass are the three leading Turkish seafood exports, having contributed a total value of US$1 billion over the last five years.

The goal set by the sector is to be able to export US$2.5 billion in seafood every year by 2027.

Kiziltan also highlighted the growth in Turkey's salmon farming capacity, from an annual output of 5,000 tons ten years ago to the current total of 100,000 tons, yielding an export value equivalent of US$498 million.

Kiziltan said the "ideal climate" in the Black Sea as well as their high omega 3 fatty acid content have contributed to favourable conditions for growing salmon.

The TFEA said it hopes to generate US$650 million from salmon exports by the end of this year.