ANKARA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye is seeking to establish itself as a player in the global caviar industry by expanding sturgeon farming and promoting a national caviar brand as part of a broader strategy to boost high-value aquaculture exports, according to recently unveiled official plans.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced in the plans that the country aims to generate more than 100 million U.S. dollars in annual export revenue from sturgeon products and caviar by 2028.
Türkiye banned sturgeon fishing in 1997 and placed the species under protection. Since then, authorities have focused on rebuilding natural stocks while encouraging sustainable aquaculture production.
Under programs coordinated by the General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, breeding stations in the provinces of Amasya and Bolu have produced around 100,000 juvenile sturgeon between 2022 and 2025. Some were released into rivers flowing into the Black Sea, while others were supplied to private companies for commercial farming.
The government has also authorized cage-based sturgeon aquaculture operations in dam lakes in southern and southeastern Türkiye.
According to ministry data, the country currently has 12 licensed sturgeon farming facilities with a combined annual production capacity exceeding 3,200 tonnes. Authorities aim to increase annual sturgeon farming capacity to 20,000 tonnes, raise annual exports to 2,500 tonnes and achieve annual caviar production of 100 tonnes by 2028.
Growing international demand for luxury food products and fine dining experiences has attracted more participants to Türkiye's sturgeon industry over the past decade.
Vedat Somer, manager of Royal Luxury Caviar, a company based in the southern Turkish city of Adana, said that Türkiye possesses favorable conditions to become a more prominent supplier in the global caviar market.
The company exports its products mainly to the United States, Europe and Russia. Somer, however, said that reaching the government's production targets would require substantial investment and stronger policy support.
Another entrepreneur, Omer Tunc, prepares to invest in sturgeon farming in the southeastern province of Sanliurfa.
"Many people see the high price of caviar and assume profits come quickly, but this business requires patience," said Tunc, adding that he believes the sector offers long-term opportunities despite the challenges.
Officials say future investments in the industry will include new hatcheries, processing facilities and cold-chain infrastructure.
As Türkiye seeks to expand its share of the global caviar market, scientific research has emerged as a key pillar supporting the industry's long-term development.
In the Black Sea province of Rize, researchers at Recep Tayyip Erdogan University's Faculty of Fisheries said they have achieved breakthroughs in breeding endangered sturgeon species under controlled conditions.
Zeki Kurtoglu, vice dean of the faculty, said the success of captive breeding programs demonstrates that conservation and commercial development can complement each other.
"Sturgeon is among the most valuable aquatic species in the world, not only because of its caviar but also because nearly every part of the fish can be utilized economically," he said. Enditem
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