Fisheries are exported to 94 countries from Mugla.
In Mugla, which has an important place in aquaculture, mostly trout, sea bream, sea bass, minekop and yellowmouth are produced.
Fish produced in facilities in the city center and districts are taken with the help of net scoops and taken to other facilities for processing. The cleaned fish are ready for sale as fillets or frozen. In addition to the domestic market, fish products are sold to nearly 100 countries, especially the USA, Russia and Japan.
Mugla Agriculture and Forestry Director Baris Saylak told the AA correspondent that they exported 125 thousand tons of aquatic products last year and earned an income of $804 million.
Stating that they have increased their targets for this year and are taking firm steps forward, Saylak said, “We set our target for 2023 as 150 thousand tons of exports and $1 billion of income. As of the first 8 months, we have an increase of 5 thousand tons in exports and an increase of $21 million in income compared to the previous year. We have exported $553 million of fisheries in the 8 months of 2023.”
Year-end target is $1 billion
Explaining that they are striving to reach their target of $1 billion by the end of the year, Saylak noted that exports, which will gain momentum again in October, will also be reflected in the year-end targets.
Saylak emphasized that all companies in the region produce using the latest modern technologies and continued as follows:
“We continue to be a brand in aquaculture and export, arm in arm, shoulder to shoulder with our Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mugla Governorship, Aegean Exporters’ Associations, chambers and unions. We export products to 94 countries. We export the products of our growers to many countries such as European Union countries, Canada, USA, Saudi Arabia, Central Asia, Russia and Japan. We export many products such as sea bass, sea bream, trout, smoked meat and fillet.”
Saylak pointed out that in addition to fish production, approximately 50 thousand people are employed, including divers, captains, workers in the packaging facility, filleters, and workers in transportation companies. He stated that, as Mugla Agriculture and Forestry Directorate, they clean the seas for the continuation of sustainable aquaculture and aquaculture hunting, and they also carry out social responsibility projects in this context.
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz