Turkey’s sea bream exports saw a 21% increase, while sea bass topped the export charts.
Sea bream exports from January to October this year rose by 21% compared to the same period last year, reaching $427 million. According to data from the Aegean Exporters' Associations, the volume of seafood exports in October increased from 24,479 tons to 28,184 tons, and the value rose from $134.4 million to $187.5 million. For the January-October period, seafood exports grew 16% by volume, reaching 257,712 tons, and increased 16% in value, totaling $1.623 billion.
SEA BASS LEADS IN EXPORTS
Sea bass ranked first in exports. Its export volume rose by 19%, from 57,121 tons to 68,119 tons, with its value increasing by 17.6%, from $402 million to $473 million. For sea bream, the volume remained steady at 67,581 tons, but there was a significant increase in value. Revenue from sea bream exports grew by 21%, from $353 million to $427 million. The unit price of sea bream rose from $5.22 to $6.32.
Turkish salmon also showed notable growth. Its exports increased by 32%, from 48,103 tons to 63,664 tons, with the value rising by 30%, reaching $380 million.
RUSSIA IS THE BIGGEST BUYER
Russia remained the largest buyer of Turkish seafood. Exports to Russia grew by 21%, reaching 62,532 tons, and the value increased by 28%, reaching $357.3 million. Exports to Italy rose from 25,000 tons to 28,000 tons, and exports to the Netherlands increased from 17,600 tons to 19,000 tons. Exports to Greece also climbed from 17,000 tons to 23,000 tons in volume, with a 38% increase in value, rising from $100 million to $138 million.
TURKISH SEA BREAM GAINS VALUE AS GREEK SUPPLY DROPS
The reduction in sea bream production in Greece helped boost the value of Turkish sea bream. Ufuk Atakan Demir, a board member of the Aegean Aquatic Products and Animal Products Exporters Association, noted that European interest in sea bream has increased. "This year, production in Greece was low. The reduced supply from Greek companies contributed to our price increase, and the unit export price went up," he said. Demir also highlighted that Turkish salmon is in demand, with exports reaching $380 million, mainly to Russia, while Japan and Vietnam are also enjoying Turkish salmon.