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Turkiye’s 2024 target for tuna exports is $100 million

It is aimed to increase the annual export income of tuna farming, in which Turkiye has a significant share in the world market, from $51 million to $100 million.

Turkish fishermen, who sail to the Mediterranean every year in April-May, catch tuna as much as the country’s quota determined by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) and bring it to farms in the Aegean Sea to be grown.

The majority of tuna farms, also known as tuna, are located off the coast of Izmir. While the capacity of small farms is 250-300 tons per year, the capacity of large-scale farms can exceed 1000 tons per year. Harvest begins in December for fish weighing up to 600 kilograms, which are fed organic feed such as sardines, collie and mackerel in cages in the sea.

Divers, who have been involved in feeding fish for months, are diving this time to harvest fish. Tuna removed from farms are transferred to ships coming from Japan. In these ships, called “factory ships”, the tuna is processed and sent to Japan.

Japan, which met 62% of total tuna exports last year, uses these fish in making traditional dishes sushi and sashimi.

After Japan, the highest demand comes from South Korea, the USA, Canada and Italy.

Exports are increasing

Sinan Kiziltan, Chairman of the Turkish Fisheries and Animal Products Exporters’ Association Sector Board, said that the bluefin tuna fishing quota determined by international organizations for Turkiye is 2,600 tons annually for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Stating that live bluefin tuna has been caught in the Mediterranean for many years under the allocated fishing quota, Kiziltan stated that bluefin tuna is considered to be top quality and is a preferred fish in the world due to its characteristics.

Stating that the hunting quota does not make it possible to compete with European countries, Kiziltan said, “Increasing the quota given to our country is an issue we have been struggling with for years. On the other hand, although the import tax applied by Japan to Turkiye is 3.5%, its application to EU countries as 0% reduces our power.”

Referring to the tuna export target, Kiziltan said, “2023 tuna exports reached $51 million as of December 25. Our target for 2024 is $100 million.”

“Favorite seafood in Japan”

Junya Hanzawa, deputy general manager of the fish trade department of the Japanese company, who came to Izmir to import tuna, said that tuna is the most popular seafood in his country.

Stating that families in Japan eat tuna once or twice a week, Junya Hanzawa said that this fish is also a favorite menu at ceremonies such as weddings and graduations.

Junya Hanzawa stated that bluefin tuna is the most delicious and high-quality tuna and said, “That’s why we love the bluefin tuna of the Mediterranean. Since tuna in the Mediterranean is farmed, a stable and sustainable supply is possible from this region. That’s why we decided to buy from the Mediterranean.”

Source: Trthaber / Prepared by Irem Yildiz

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