Turkey: Frozen Whole Fish Market 2025

Frozen Whole Fish Market Size in Turkey

In 2021, the Turkish frozen whole fish market increased by 9.1% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Frozen whole fish consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Frozen Whole Fish Production in Turkey

In value terms, frozen whole fish production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 102% against the previous year. Frozen whole fish production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Frozen Whole Fish Exports

Exports from Turkey

In 2021, shipments abroad of frozen whole fish increased by 44% to X tons, rising for the sixth year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports saw a buoyant increase. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, frozen whole fish exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Russia (X tons) was the main destination for frozen whole fish exports from Turkey, accounting for a 49% share of total exports. Moreover, frozen whole fish exports to Russia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Vietnam (X tons), with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Russia stood at +60.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-0.9% per year) and Vietnam (+241.0% per year).

In value terms, Russia ($X) remains the key foreign market for frozen whole fish exports from Turkey, comprising 57% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 9.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Vietnam, with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Russia totaled +62.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-0.6% per year) and Vietnam (+222.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average frozen whole fish export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 15% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.2%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 20%. The export price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Italy ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (+9.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Frozen Whole Fish Imports

Imports into Turkey

In 2021, approx. X tons of frozen whole fish were imported into Turkey; growing by 33% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +62.7% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, frozen whole fish imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +41.7% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 47% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Morocco (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of frozen whole fish to Turkey, with a 42% share of total imports. Moreover, frozen whole fish imports from Morocco exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Norway (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Seychelles (X tons), with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Morocco amounted to +24.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Norway (-1.0% per year) and Seychelles (+35.9% per year).

In value terms, the largest frozen whole fish suppliers to Turkey were Morocco ($X), Norway ($X) and Seychelles ($X), with a combined 66% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Spain, Iceland, India, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United States, which together accounted for a further 27%.

Iceland, with a CAGR of +32.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average frozen whole fish import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 3.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 16%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Portugal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+26.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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