15.02.2025 15:04
The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumaklı, announced that Turkey's seafood exports exceeded 2 billion dollars in 2024, stating that this figure represents the highest export figure in history. The Minister emphasized the importance of sustainable production and export in the seafood sector.
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The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumaklı, stated that the export of aquatic products exceeded 2 billion dollars last year, saying, "With this figure, we have reached the highest aquatic product export in history." Yumaklı evaluated the export of the aquatic products sector in a written statement. Emphasizing that the General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, affiliated with the Ministry, carries out important activities to protect the aquatic resources in seas and inland waters and ensure their sustainable operation, Yumaklı reported that Turkey's aquatic product production has sustainably increased, especially from aquaculture.
THE NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES INCREASED
Minister Yumaklı recalled that they started implementing production planning for aquatic products, in addition to plant and animal production last year, stating, "Within the planning, we included 7 species in fishing and 4 species in aquaculture in the production planning scope. In addition, we introduced new technical criteria support in 2024 under our new support model for aquaculture, which we have included in the support scope since 2003. Thus, our family businesses and member enterprises have gained the opportunity to benefit from more support." he shared.
AQUATIC PRODUCT EXPORT TO 97 COUNTRIES IN 2024
Pointing out that the Turkish aquatic products sector is a net exporter, Yumaklı made the assessment, "The growth of our aquatic products sector has led to a significant increase in our country's aquatic product exports, parallel to the developments in aquaculture, production, and processing technologies." Yumaklı stated that Turkey continues to maintain its exporter position in aquatic products foreign trade, drawing attention to the fact that the country's self-sufficiency rate in aquatic products trade has been around 120% in recent years. Emphasizing that the export figures clearly demonstrate this, Yumaklı said, "Last year, we exported aquatic products to 97 countries. Our aquatic product export, which was 1.7 billion dollars in 2023, exceeded 2 billion dollars in 2024. With this figure, we have reached the highest aquatic product export in history."
SEA BASS AND GILT HEAD BREAM AT THE TOP
İbrahim Yumaklı reported that sea bass and gilt head bream are at the top of aquatic product exports, stating: "We will continue our efforts to protect the aquatic resources in our seas and inland waters and ensure their sustainability, and to develop our aquaculture and trade with all our strength, just as we have done so far. I would like to thank our fishermen, producers, and the sector for their contributions and efforts in our success."
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