Turkey's fish exports reached $207.1 million in January 2026, a 36% increase from the previous year, with a volume rise to 22,935 tons.
In food exports, fish emerged as one of the most successful products entering the market in 2026. Turkey exported fish worth 152.7 million dollars in January 2025, while in January 2026, fish exports increased by 36% to reach 207.1 million dollars. Turkey's fish exports recorded an increase of 54 million dollars in a one-month period.
Fish was one of the top five product groups with the highest export increase in January 2026, becoming the star of food exports. The quantity of fish exports increased from 21,978 tons to 22,935 tons, marking a 4% rise.
A High-Protein Source
Fish, which is key to a healthy life due to its omega-3 fatty acids, is high in protein. Regular consumption of fish in terms of protein content provides numerous benefits, ranging from increasing muscle mass to maintaining heart health. Turkey's rich diversity of seafood makes it easier to lead a healthy life.
Ege Seafood and Animal Products Exporters Association President Bedri Girit stated that they are responsible for two out of every three fish exported by Turkey, emphasizing that the Turkish seafood sector closed the year 2025 with a performance of 2 billion 243 million dollars and made a very successful entry into 2026, indicating an export trend that will exceed the target of 2.5 billion dollars.
Triple-Digit Increase in Tuna Exports
Girit provided information that seabass exports maintained their leadership with a 27% increase, rising from 48 million dollars to 60.7 million dollars. 'Our gilthead seabream exports increased from 38 million dollars to 46 million dollars. The most significant increase was in tuna. Tuna exports skyrocketed with a 122% triple-digit increase, jumping from 18.5 million dollars to 41 million dollars. Our increase in Turkish salmon also continued in 2026, rising from 23 million dollars to 32 million dollars with a 39% growth. Our other seafood exports increased from 14.8 million dollars to 16 million dollars, while our trout exports remained stable at 8.7 million dollars. Our rock seabass exports rose by 44%, increasing from 1.7 million dollars to 2.5 million dollars,' he stated.
The Lion's Share of Seafood Exports Belongs to Aegean Fishermen
President Girit noted that the Ege Seafood and Animal Products Exporters Association's exports, which were 95.7 million dollars in January 2025, developed by 27% to reach 121.5 million dollars in January 2026, claiming the lion's share of seafood exports. 'While our association exported 46 million dollars worth of seabass, gilthead seabream followed in second place with 36 million dollars, and Turkish salmon ranked third with 13.7 million dollars.'
The Race Between the Russian Federation and Japan Determined by Photo Finish
In January 2026, the Russian Federation maintained its leading position in seafood exports with 31.3 million dollars, while exports to Japan, which stood out due to its demand for tuna, increased by 120% from 12 million dollars to 31 million dollars. Japan climbed four places in the ranking of countries to which we export seafood, with the leadership between Russia and Japan determined by a photo finish.
Italy demanded 22.4 million dollars worth of Turkish seafood, while our seafood exports to the Netherlands increased by 24%, rising from 14.8 million dollars to 18.3 million dollars. Our seafood exports to Greece, in fifth place, progressed from 15 million dollars to 18.2 million dollars with a 21% increase. Following these countries were the United Kingdom, South Korea, the United States, Germany, and Spain. Turkey exported seafood to 55 countries in January.
The country to which the Ege Seafood and Animal Products Exporters Association exported the most fish was Italy, with 17.8 million dollars, followed by Greece with 17.2 million dollars and the United Kingdom with 15.7 million dollars. The number of countries to which fish were exported from the Aegean Region reached 46.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
