The harvest of Turkish salmon, breaking export records, has begun

The harvest of Turkish salmon, which is breaking export records, has begun from cages located in the sea off the Arsin district of Trabzon.

Turkish salmon is initially placed in cages in dam lakes to allow their eggs to grow. When the salmon in the cages start to grow, reaching a weight between 100 to 800 grams, they are transferred from the dams to steel cages in the seas. The salmon, which are fed at regular intervals, are harvested when they reach approximately 2.5 kilograms in weight.

In order to harvest Turkish salmon in the Arsin district of Trabzon, aquaculturists went to the cages with boats tonight and transferred the fish from the cages to water tanks filled with ice on the boats using cranes and nets. The salmon brought ashore are then taken to fish factories by trucks for processing. After completing the processes at the factory, Turkish salmon are exported to many countries.

In 2022, 49,196 tons of salmon were exported, generating a revenue of $363,102,216, while in 2023, the export volume increased to 63,161 tons, resulting in an export revenue of $396,315,453.

Making statements regarding the matter, the export company's Salmon Production Manager Ayhan Yıldırım stated that there is a high demand for Turkish salmon from abroad. Ayhan Yıldırım said, "Before the salmon harvest, we distribute eggs brought from France and Poland to producers in the hatchery phase. When the fish reach a size of 2 to 5 grams, we release them into the dams. Here, after reaching a weight between 100 to 800 grams for 11 months, we transfer them to the sea. We prepare them for export when they reach around 2.5-3 kilograms within 6 months."

Yıldırım emphasized that Turkish salmon is a lean fish with a high Omega-5 ratio, stating, "We produce fish in the quantities and qualities desired by the countries we export to. There is a very high demand, especially in Vietnam, China, and Russia. Turkish salmon is a luxury. We produce according to their preferences."