TZOB Announces Aquaculture Production and Export Data
· TZOB
The Union of Turkish Agricultural Chambers (TZOB) announced that aquaculture production reached 1 million 37 thousand tons with an 11.1% increase in 2025, and exports reached $2.3 billion, ahead of the September 1st fishing season.
Increase in Aquaculture Production
Bayraktar, the President of the Union of Turkish Agricultural Chambers (TZOB), made a written statement ahead of the fishing season starting on September 1st. According to TZOB data, total aquaculture production, which exceeded the 1 million-ton threshold for the first time in 2023, reached 1 million 37 thousand 19 tons in 2025, an 11.1% increase after a decline in 2024. Bayraktar reported that the total production increase over the last 5 years was 31.9%. In 2025, aquaculture products constituted 60.4% of the production, while sea fish catches accounted for 33.4%, inland water products for 3.1%, and other marine products for 3%.
Caught Species and Anchovy
According to the TZOB statement, sea fish catches increased by 15.3% in 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching 410,428 tons. Bayraktar stated that the fishing production increased by 12.6% compared to the 364,100 tons level in 2020, and the total amount of sea fish caught was 346,366 tons. Anchovy was the leading species among those caught, with 245,261 tons. It was followed by sprat with 28,388 tons and sardine with 19,667 tons. Bayraktar emphasized the need to protect marine and inland water resources.
Export Targets and Foreign Trade
Stating that Turkey is a net exporter in its foreign trade of aquatic products, TZOB President Bayraktar noted that product diversity and market gains are increasing exports. TZOB President Bayraktar made the following statements regarding the issue:
"Aquaculture exports, which exceeded the $2 billion threshold for the first time in 2024, reached $2.3 billion in 2025. The $3 billion export target set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for 2028 offers a significant opportunity for developing the sector's production and foreign trade capacity."
Consumption Level and Stock Protection
Pointing out that aquaculture consumption in Turkey lags behind the world average, Bayraktar stated that annual per capita consumption worldwide is approximately 19 kilograms, while it is 8.8 kilograms in Turkey. Bayraktar reported that strengthening cold chain and distribution networks is necessary to increase consumption and called for the protection of fish stocks rather than short-term gains. Bayraktar highlighted the importance of combating illegal fishing by emphasizing that fishermen must comply with fishing bans, minimum size rules, and time-area restrictions.