Ahmet Tuncay Sagun, Chairman of the Sagun Group and Vice President of the Istanbul Seafood and Animal Products Exporters Association, stated that the sector has reached its 2023 export target of $2.5 billion by the end of this year, and that the 2023 target has been revised to $5 billion. Sagun emphasized that they expect fish to account for $1 billion of the sector’s exports. Oğulcan Sagun, son of Adnan Sagun and also Vice President of the Sagun Group, underlined that the sector has not been able to replicate its export success in domestic consumption, noting that per capita fish consumption has decreased from 6 kilograms to 5 kilograms annually, highlighting the significant impact of price. “We produce the feed in Türkiye, but 90% of its content is imported. Therefore, the exchange rate affects it,” said Sagun, adding the following to his father’s statement:

SEPARATE LICENSES FOR TUNA
“Prices may have risen significantly for some fish species. Nevertheless, it is possible to find fish to suit every budget in our country. The fact that fish exports, 83% of which are farmed, have reached $1 billion demonstrates the success of the sector. However, farms need to be very well monitored to prevent increased pollution in our seas.” Tuncay Sagun stated that tuna fishing boats should be separate, saying, “Tuna exports have reached $65 million. Tuna fishing boats cannot go fishing for other fish in inland waters. Ordinary boat owners also participate in the lottery for tuna quotas. Other boats should not participate in the tuna lottery. Tuna fishing boats should be licensed separately.” Sagun noted that farmed fish constitute 83% of the $1 billion export figure.

NO ONE IS EVEN LOOKING AT BLACK SEA SALMON
Oğulcan Kemal Sagun, stating that they placed Black Sea salmon and Norwegian salmon side-by-side in the fish section of a large chain supermarket in Istanbul to investigate consumer preference for both, expressed his disappointment regarding customer perception. He shared his observations about the test and customers at a recent meeting with his father Ahmet Tuncay Sagun and sister Nazlıcan Sagun, adding: “No one is even looking at Black Sea salmon. The promotion of Norwegian salmon has instilled in the customer’s mind the perception that ‘The best salmon comes from Norway.'”