Turkish seafood exports to China nearly triple, led by salmon and tuna

By Firat Ozdemir and Emir Yildirim

IZMIR, Türkiye / ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye’s seafood exports to China nearly tripled, surging 190% year-on-year in January-September and totaling a little over $18 million after the signing of new bilateral trade deals between the two countries last October, according to the Aegean Exporters’ Association.

The protocol on inspection and health requirements for wild-caught and farmed aquatic products was established, paving the way for easier entry of Turkish seafood into the Chinese market.

The total volume of Turkish aquatic exports to China jumped 153% to 1,588 tons this year.

The exports were led by salmon, whose revenue rose 93% to nearly $5.5 million, while its shipping volume rose from 433 tons to 861 tons.

Tuna followed, generating $4.5 million in revenue and reaching 291 metric tons, following zero exports to China during the same period last year.

Meanwhile, sea cucumber sales surged 138% and generated $3.7 million in revenue, while frozen snail exports rose 133% to $1.9 million.

Ufuk Atakan Demir, president of the Aegean Seafood and Animal Products Exporters' Association, told Anadolu that the figures since the establishment of last year’s protocols have encouraged the expansion of Turkish aquaculture.

Demir stated that rising sales led to new opportunities for Turkish producers and exporters to form long-term trade relations in China, urging the industry to promote their products and strengthen their relationships with Chinese buyers to sustain the momentum.

Fırat Özdemir