Turkey wants to tap rising demand for sea bass in China, according to a state agency promoting exports.
A major PR campaign also aims to drive shipments of sea bream, mussels and crabs to China, according to Tumay Cetiner, a marketing official at the Aegean Exporters Association, which represents producers from key sea bass producing areas like Izmir, on the Aegean coast.
A continued tightening of local fish supplies creates openings in China, said Cetiner at the recent Seafood Expo Asia in Hong Kong.
“We are lucky that we can supply both wild catch and aquaculture[d] fish,” Cetiner said.
The AEA is this year exhibiting at three fisheries shows in China, as China has sought alternative fish species in recent years to satisfy rising local consumption – based on growing incomes – as well as a longer annual moratorium on fishing of its own waters. Cetiner said his organization also sees “long-term” potential in Africa for Turkish fish.
China ranks eighth among the export destinations for Turkish sea bass, according to Cetiner. That number places Turkey well behind the European Union and the United Sates, which rank first and second respectively as export markets.
