Bonito Abundance in Zonguldak Drives Down Fish Prices

September 8, 2026 · Tarım TV

With the opening of the fishing season in the Black Sea and favorable weather conditions, an abundance of bonito is gracing Zonguldak's fish stalls, with products being offered at affordable prices.

Bonito Season Starts Bountifully in the Black Sea

Following the end of the fishing ban in the seas as of September 1, the intensive efforts of Black Sea fishermen continue uninterrupted. With the weather conditions also being quite favorable for fishing in recent days, boats returning to Zonguldak harbor have brought in a large quantity of bonito. Local vendors, who experienced an unproductive period in terms of bonito in the seas last year, state that they have made an extremely strong start to the new season. As fresh bonito from the Black Sea take their place on the stalls, fisherman Batuhan Ertürk also stated that citizens have long missed bonito and that prices could fall further with increased supply.

Current Prices and Supply on the Stalls

The abundance experienced in the fish markets in the city center has directly reflected on product prices, bringing smiles to consumers' faces. Zeki Beybeyoğlu, who has been in the fishing profession for 25 years in the city, stated that the largest bonito reaching the stalls weigh up to half a kilogram. Beybeyoğlu announced that these large fish are finding buyers at 100 lira, while slightly smaller bonito are priced at 75 lira. Retired teacher Mahmut Dübüş also conveyed that the abundance of fish offers a great opportunity for consumers and that citizens should not miss out on these products, which are a source of fresh protein.

Fish as an Alternative to Meat Prices

Industry representatives evaluating the activity on the stalls emphasize that bonito offers a very economical option compared to other staple protein sources. Zonguldak fisherman Zeki Beybeyoğlu evaluated the market situation with the following words:

"Prices are affordable. The largest fish weighs half a kilo, priced at 100 lira. The one smaller than that is 75 lira. We hope the season continues like this. The prices of red meat and chicken are known. When you put the three side by side, fish is the cheapest."

Fishermen expect the supply of bonito in the Black Sea and the affordable price level to be maintained if the weather conditions are good throughout the season.

Türkçe