Turkey Exported USD 207 Million Worth of Fish in January

Fish led Turkey's food exports with the strongest January 2026 start. Turkey exported USD 152.7 million worth of fish in January 2025, then increased fish exports to USD 207.1 million in January 2026, a 36% rise. Turkey's fish exports grew by USD 54 million over the one-month period.

Fish became one of the five product groups with the highest export growth in January 2026, emerging as the star of food exports. Fish exports advanced 4% by volume, from 21,978 tonnes to 22,935 tonnes.

High-protein reservoir
Fish, a key to healthy living with its omega-3 fatty acids, contains high protein. Regular consumption of fish in terms of protein content provides numerous benefits, from increasing muscle mass to protecting heart health. Turkey's rich diversity of marine products facilitates a healthy lifestyle.

Bedri Girit, Chairman of the Aegean Sea Products and Animal Products Exporters Association, stated that Turkey signs two out of every three fish exports, noting that the Turkish aquaculture sector closed 2025 with a performance of USD 2.243 billion, made a very successful entry into 2026, and demonstrated an export trajectory that will exceed the USD 2.5 billion export target.

Three-digit increase in tuna exports
Girit, noting that sea bass exports maintained their lead with a 27% increase from USD 48 million to USD 60.7 million in aquaculture exports, stated: "Our sea bream exports rose from USD 38 million to USD 46 million. The most significant increase was in tuna. Tuna exports surged with a 122% three-digit increase from USD 18.5 million to USD 41 million. Our growth in Turkish salmon continued in 2026 and with a 39% increase, it rose from USD 23 million to USD 32 million. Our other aquaculture exports increased from USD 14.8 million to USD 16 million, while our trout exports remained stable at USD 8.7 million. Our rock sea bass exports increased 44%, rising from USD 1.7 million to USD 2.5 million."

Aegean fisheries capture lion's share of aquaculture exports
Chairman Girit, noting that the Aegean Sea Products and Animal Products Exporters Association's exports increased 27% in January 2026 compared to USD 95.7 million in January 2025, concluded his remarks as follows: "In January 2026, we increased our exports to USD 121.5 million and captured the lion's share of aquaculture exports. Our Aegean Sea Products and Animal Products Exporters Association exported USD 46 million worth of sea bass, with sea bream in second place at USD 36 million and Turkish salmon at USD 13.7 million."

Photo finish determined the race between Russian Federation and Japan
In January 2026 aquaculture exports, the Russian Federation maintained its leading position at USD 31.3 million, while our exports to Japan, which came to the fore with tuna demand, increased 120% from USD 12 million to USD 31 million. Japan rose four positions in the ranking of countries to which we export aquaculture products, with a photo finish determining the lead between Russia and Japan.

Italy demanded USD 22.4 million worth of Turkish aquaculture products, while our aquaculture exports to the Netherlands increased 24% from USD 14.8 million to USD 18.3 million. Our aquaculture exports to Greece in fifth place advanced with a 21% increase from USD 15 million to USD 18.2 million. These countries were followed by the United Kingdom, South Korea, the United States, Germany, and Spain. Turkey exported aquaculture products to 55 countries in January.

Italy was the country to which the Aegean Sea Products and Animal Products Exporters Association exported the most fish at USD 17.8 million, followed by Greece at USD 17.2 million and the United Kingdom at USD 15.7 million. The number of countries to which fish was exported from the Aegean Region reached 46.