12.11.2026 10:41
Elazığ, which ranks first in Turkey in trout and Turkish salmon farming in inland waters, contributes to the national economy through fish exports. While more than 40,000 tons of fish are produced annually at over 200 enterprises in the city, the sector's economic size reaches approximately 200 million dollars. Portion-sized fish are sent to European Union countries, while Turkish salmon is sent to world markets, primarily Russia, Japan, the US, and Canada.
Elazığ, which has extensive inland water resources, primarily the Keban and Karakaya dam lakes, is among Turkey's leading production centers in trout and Turkish salmon farming. Fish farmed in more than 200 businesses operating in the city are exported to different countries of the world after being prepared in processing facilities. Gökhan Elgin, President of the Elazığ Province and Districts Inland Fisheries Breeders' Producers Union, announced that the city ranks first in Turkey in trout and Turkish salmon production in inland waters.
ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF 200 MILLION DOLLARS
Providing information on the production capacity of aquaculture in Elazığ, Gökhan Elgin stated that more than 40 thousand tons of fish are produced in the city annually. Expressing that the sector has reached an economic size of approximately 200 million dollars, Elgin said that employment is provided for approximately 2 thousand people in more than 200 businesses.
Stating that 3 fish processing and evaluation facilities are currently operating in the city, Elgin noted that 2 new facilities are expected to start production within the next few months.
TURKISH SALMON GOES TO RUSSIA, JAPAN AND THE USA
Fish farmed in Elazığ are exported to different countries according to their species and size. While trout referred to as portion-sized are mainly sent to European Union countries, Turkish salmon finds buyers in international markets, particularly Russia, Japan, the USA and Canada.
Making a statement regarding the export routes, Elgin said, "Of the products we farm, those we refer to as 'portion-sized' are generally exported to European Union countries, while those we describe as 'Turkish salmon' are exported to other countries of the world, particularly Russia, Japan, America and Canada."
2 MORE NEW FACILITIES WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL
Noting that Elazığ's fish processing infrastructure is developing as well as its production capacity, Elgin said that new ones will be added to the existing 3 facilities. With 2 more new facilities becoming operational in the coming months, the number of processing and evaluation facilities in the city is expected to reach 5.
With the production opportunities provided by the Keban and Karakaya dam lakes, Elazığ continues both its leadership in inland water fisheries and its presence in international markets.