Anchovy exports generated $12 million in foreign exchange in September-October, while the abundance of bonito was not reflected in export figures.
Despite a bountiful bonito season since the start of the fishing season on September 1, Turkey did not see this abundance mirrored in export numbers. Bonito exports to only two countries in September-October brought in just $15,556, while exports of anchovy to 20 countries generated $12,306,154.
France was the leading importer of Turkish anchovy with $4,502,792, followed by Belgium with $3,736,313, and the USA with $1,191,935. In total, anchovy exports to France, Belgium, the USA, Germany, the UK, Ukraine, Spain, the Netherlands, Northern Cyprus, Italy, Romania, Canada, the UAE, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Switzerland, Greece, Iraq, Dubai, and Kenya amounted to 2,288,154 kilograms and generated $12,306,154 in foreign currency. In the same period last year, 2,001,862 kilograms of anchovy were exported to 25 countries, yielding $11,168,499.
Bonito exports, however, were only sent to two countries in September-October. Northern Cyprus received 6,418 kilograms, and Turkmenistan received 1,490 kilograms, generating $15,556 in foreign currency, compared to $2,730 for the same period last year.
ANCHOVY IS LOVED WORLDWIDE
Fishermen note that anchovy is generally more popular abroad. Fisherman Ahmet Çoğalmış stated, "Anchovy trade exceeds $10 million annually. Bonito is more in demand domestically, so it’s not exported as much. Anchovy is more favored for export and is loved everywhere. When people think of the Black Sea, anchovy comes to mind, so it’s widely embraced." He added that anchovy exports bring in $10-15 million in annual revenue.
Fisherman Emin Avcı mentioned that bonito is not widely known abroad, unlike anchovy, which has a global reputation and higher export volume. Another fisherman, Çetin Kavzoğlu, noted that anchovy is popular worldwide, while bonito is mostly consumed in Turkey and Greece.
Anchovy exports from Trabzon brought in $185,617 in foreign exchange during the September-October period, compared to $287,427 in the same period last year.