Comparison Of Fisheries Sectors Of Japan And Turkey In Production And Trade Opportunities

Abstract

This study clarifies the changes in the trade of fish-related commodities (FRC) between Turkey and Japan, and discusses the outlook of such trade. Turkey’s ability to adapt to the international food-safety standards enabled it to export primary commodities to the region. Turkey can draw from its EU experience when exporting primary products to Japan. Fisheries trade between Turkey and Japan has increased significantly in the past decade, from just over US$12 million (2,404 tons) in 2000 to more than US$49 million (3,653 tons) in 2011. From our interviews, we found that (1) there are significant fish-related trade opportunities between the two countries; (2) addressing the lack of knowledge or factual information in general is the most important task for increasing such fisheries trade; and (3) communication initiatives such as advertising, exhibitions, and field trips are necessary to increase the countries’ basic understanding of each other’s fisheries sector. In conclusion, detecting and capitalizing on new potential (FRC) (e.g., Atlantic bonito, Pacific saury, and sardine) in accordance with the preference of the market could be a new strategy that would promote further development of trade between the two countries.