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ISHIB President Mujdat Sezer’s market strategy pushes Turkiye’s aquaculture and animal products exports to $3.8 billion in 2024
Turkiye has achieved remarkable momentum in aquaculture and animal products exports, with a record $3.863 billion in 2024 — up 11% from the previous year. At the center of this success story is Mujdat Sezer, President of the Istanbul Aquaculture and Animal Products Exporters’ Association (ISHIB). His production-focused vision and new market strategies are not only boosting figures but also reshaping the sector structurally.
Recognising Industry Leaders
At the ISHIB 2024 Successful Exporters Awards Ceremony, held at the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) Foreign Trade Complex, the sector’s achievements were in the spotlight. Awards were given across six main categories: bee products, white meat, eggs, aquaculture, dairy, and red meat.
Overall top exporters: Kemal Balikcilik (1st), Banvit (2nd), Senpilic (3rd), followed by Paktavuk, Hastavuk, Orallar Zirai Urunler, Ak Gida, Rella Gida, Fokaci Su Urunleri, and Bu Pilic.
Category leaders: Banvit in white meat, Kemal Balikcilik in aquaculture, Pak Tavuk in eggs, Ak Gida in dairy, Amana Foods in red meat products, and Altiparmak Gida (Balparmak) in bee products.
Export Breakdown
In 2024, aquaculture led with $2.083 billion, followed by poultry meat ($675 million), eggs ($529 million), dairy ($364 million), and red meat products ($174 million). The top markets were Iraq ($590 million), Russia ($481 million), and Italy ($251 million).
However, poultry exports suffered under quotas — down 16% in volume and 14% in value — mirrored by declines in egg exports. As Sezer put it: “The chicken’s neck was squeezed, while fish climbed high.”
Record Gains in Fish Exports
Aquaculture exports surged, with tuna volumes soaring 256%. Yet, seabass remained Turkiye’s top export fish thanks to strong European demand. The average export price for fish rose to $5.84/kg, well above the sector’s overall $2.61/kg average — a clear reflection of a value-added export strategy.
Strategic Market Openings
A milestone in 2024 was the start of exports of heat-treated poultry products to the EU. Calling this “opening the door to Europe,” Sezer’s next targets are fresh and frozen poultry sales to the EU, alongside expanded access to China and Syria.
“We Cannot Tell Animals Not to Produce”
Highlighting the biological realities of the sector, Sezer stressed that production cannot be simply capped: “We cannot tell a cow not to give milk.”
With 90% of exporters also being producers, he warned that policy decisions affect the entire supply chain and urged for stronger producer support.
IPARD Funding for Rural Growth
Sezer emphasised the need to channel EU Pre-Accession Rural Development (IPARD) funds into new production facilities. Improving working conditions in rural areas, he noted, would boost both output and employment.
Global Challenges, Local Opportunities
Amid wars and supply chain disruptions threatening global food security, Sezer sees an opening: “We are working to position Turkiye as not just an exporter but a supply hub for global food demand.”
Beyond the Numbers
Mujdat Sezer is more than a trade representative — he is a strategist shaping Turkiye’s role in global food markets. From investment in production to resilience against crises, and a focus on value-added exports, his leadership blends today’s performance with tomorrow’s vision.
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