Most of the fish landed in Turkmenistan by large vessels is sold frozen. Salted, pickled, smoked and canned products are also common. The plant, as well as the technology employed, are very old. The other problem limiting production is the lack of tin for cans. Since the metal sheets are imported, the shortage of hard currency impedes regular supplies.
Fish landed by small vessels is consumed fresh, salted or used for production of fishmeal.
Most aquaculture production is sold fresh on local markets. Today, the bulk of kilka catch is frozen or canned and sold on the local market, while limited quantities are smoked, salted or pickled. Fish plays an important role exclusively in the diet of the people living in the coastal area. Over the five-year period ending in 1995, the per caput fish consumption declined from about 8 kg in 1991 to 1.3 kg in 1995. The Turkmenistan fishing industry has good prospects, as the fish resources of the Caspian Sea are underutilized.