Consumption of fishery products in Turkey's coastal regions
Authors: Sagun Oğulcan Kemal , Sayğı Hülya 
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Demand for fishery products rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and omega fatty acids has been increasing daily to meet the world population's increasing nutritional request, estimated to be 7.6 billion. Despite aquatic products' positive effects on human health, their consumption in Turkey has decreased over time and is currently lower than most countries with 6.3 kg per capita. The reason why fish consumption in Turkey is less than in other countries is the more preference for terrestrial production. Therefore, it was aimed to determine the consumption habits of consumers in Turkey's coastal region.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was carried out between Feb–March 2018 to determine the consumption habits of aquatic products; 28 areas in the coastal regions of Turkey random were selected, 650 volunteer consumers were randomly selected to answer a set of 25 questions. The survey results were evaluated by Chi-square analysis.

Findings

From the survey results, 81.4% of the respondents prefer to consume fish from the natural environment. Additionally, from the consumers, there was no statistical difference between natural (81.4%) and aquaculture (85.4%) fish taste (p = 0.05). It was found that 63% of the participants consumed fish meat once a week, with an average per capita consumption of 17.50 ± 2.34 and 10.50 ± 1.66 kg for fish and other seafood consumption, respectively. As a result, it was estimated that fish products were consumed at the desired level in the provinces examined. Accordingly, individuals need to be more conscious and encouraged to increase the consumption of seafood.

Research limitations/implications

Because Turkey's seafood consumption is still held in coastal regions in this article are the limitations of this article results. In the future, the difference between inland and coastal regions for fish consumption needs to be explored further.

Practical implications

The article says exports of fish / fisheries products have gradually decreased due to the global COVID-19 crisis, but producers / markets will have to target the domestic market more and sales with TL will come to the fore. As a result, it was estimated that fish products were consumed at the desired level in the studied provinces. Accordingly, it has been revealed that individuals should be more conscious and encouraged to increase their consumption of seafood.

Social implications

Through this research, the consumption of fisheries consumption preferences of individuals in Turkey's coastal regions uncovered.

Originality/value

On the other hand, since Turkey's aquaculture and fisheries sector attaches great importance to foreign sales (exports), domestic consumption amounts are low, and the issue of increasing this is an issue that has remained in the background for the producer. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic period, it was well understood that the closing of the customs gates partially and/or completely and the export figures becoming scanty will cause the end of 2020 and 2021 to be more troublesome in this sense. Therefore, producers/markets will have to target the domestic market more, and sales with TL (Turkish Lira) will come to the fore, various campaigns and price reductions will be made during some special hours during the day in order to increase sales in domestic market.