Turkey's seafood exports to the U.S. are set to rise 313% by 2025, driven by strong demand for sea bass, reaching $95 million from $23 million in 2015.
One of Turkey's star sectors in exports, the seafood industry has achieved significant success in the United States over the past 10 years.
In 2015, Turkey exported $23 million worth of seafood to the U.S., and by the end of 2025, it is projected to increase its exports to $95 million, marking a 313% increase. The overall increase in Turkey's seafood exports over the last decade has been 224%.
Sea bass accounted for 72% of total exports.
Americans showed the most interest in Turkish sea bass. In Turkey's seafood exports to the U.S., sea bass accounted for $68 million, representing 72% of total exports. Following sea bass, gilthead bream and trout were exported with $8 million each.
Bedri Girit, Chairman of the Aegean Seafood and Animal Products Exporters' Association, stated that they have been conducting intensive promotions with the TURQUALITY Project named Turkish Tastes at the New York Fancy Food Fair, noting that the latest event in this promotional series will be the Aquaculture America 2026 Fair, which will be held in Nevada from February 16 to 19, 2026.
Turkish sea bass has found its place on the menus of famous restaurants in America.
Girit shared that Turkish sea bass has made its way onto the menus of renowned restaurants in the U.S., stating, 'The tasting events we held with top chefs from the American Culinary Federation as part of our Turkish Tastes project have been very effective in increasing the export of Turkish seafood to the U.S. Turkish Airlines' cargo planes have also been a driving force behind our export growth. The annual seafood consumption in the U.S. ranges between $26-32 billion. Our goal is to initially capture a 1% share of the U.S. market.'
Bedri Girit, President of the Aegean Seafood and Animal Products Exporters' Association, added that out of Turkey's $95.5 million seafood exports to the U.S., a significant portion of $74 million was made from the Aegean Region.
The Aquaculture America 2026 Fair, to be held in Nevada from February 16 to 19, 2026, will see participation from Sinan Kızıltan, President of the Turkish Seafood and Animal Products Exporters' Associations Sector Board, Bedri Girit, President of the Aegean Seafood and Animal Products Exporters' Association, and board members Ufuk Atakan Demir and Mehmet Şahin Çakan.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
