The Turkish aquaculture industry has undergone enormous development in recent years, which has led it to become the ninth largest producer in the world.

Much of this development is associated with the geographical conditions of the country, which is rounded by four seas, the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the sea of Marmara with more than 8.000 km of coastline, in addition to 443 natural lakes and 178.000 kilometers of permanent water courses.

In 2020, Turkish aquaculture produced 420.000 tons of fish, which means a 13.51% growth compared to 2019 (370.000 tons). The main species produced are rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and sea bream (Sparus aurata).

Turkey is the main trout producer in the European Union and the world’s leading producer of sea bass, supplying 40% of the world’s total demand. The cultivation of these three species accounts for 95% of the country’s aquaculture production. Other species produced of lesser importance are the meagre (Argyrosomus regius) and different species of tuna.

There are 2.139 aquaculture farms in Turkey, of which 96 are intensive, with an annual production of more than 1,000 tonnes. Most aquaculture farms are located in western Turkey, on the shores of the Aegean Sea.

Turkish aquaculture production is mostly export-oriented, given that the country’s domestic consumption (560.000 tons) is much lower than total production. In 2020 the value of exports from aquaculture exceeded one million dollars, with Europe being the main destination with approximately 51% of exports. In recent years, Turkish exports are also diversifying to other markets such as Japan, China, Russia and the United States.

In 2021, Turkish exports increased by 12%, from 198.000 tons exported in 2020 to 240.000 tons in 2021. Sea bass is the most exported specie.

Given Turkey’s geographical and climatological conditions, aquaculture growth is expected to continue increasing in the coming years. Likewise, the technification of aquaculture farms, as well as the cultivation of new species will favor the development of the aquaculture industry.