Research Article

Assessing Türkiye’s fisheries trade competitiveness: A comparative approach with selected Mediterranean countries and Norway as a benchmark

Volume: 43 Number: 3 July 23, 2026
TR EN

Assessing Türkiye’s fisheries trade competitiveness: A comparative approach with selected Mediterranean countries and Norway as a benchmark

Abstract

This research examines Türkiye's competitive position in the Mediterranean region, focusing on a comparative analysis of the fisheries sector for the period 2006-2024 and comparing it with Norway, a global reference country. The study is conducted within the framework of two main areas of the Harmonized System classification: fish and seafood (HS03) and processed/packaged fish and seafood (HS16). The study utilizes the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) index/analysis developed by Béla Balassa to identify export specializations among the selected countries. The findings indicate that Türkiye significantly improved its competitive advantage in the HS03 area after 2021, but did not experience a significant increase in competitive advantage in the HS16 product group; additionally, value-added production, processed and/or packaged seafood, and technology-integrated processes remained relatively weak. Furthermore, the processed seafood markets in Italy and Spain were found to exhibit strong, well-defined positions and strategic advantages. This study, which uses Norway as its primary reference country, has shown remarkable stability in primary production and therefore considers Norway one of the most stable countries in the world, consistent with studies in the literature. Morocco's improving performance has also been observed to create new opportunities for competition and increase competitiveness. Overall, the evidence suggests that Türkiye is adopting a more advanced competitive (processed) production model alongside its primary production-based model. However, it was also observed that this momentum is not progressing at the desired level relative to Türkiye's commercial potential.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This research does not need clearance from an ethical committee.

References

  1. Abtew, A. (2015). Export competitiveness of Ethiopian leather and leather products industry. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 3(8), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijber.20150405.11
  2. Ahmad Klasra, M., & Fidan, H. (2005). Competitiveness of major exporting countries and Turkey in the world fishery market: A constant market share analysis. Aquaculture Economics & Management, 9(3), 317–330. https://doi.org/10.1080/13657300500234235
  3. Arlı, E., Saygılı, M.S., & Güneş, İ.S. (2025). The impact of fisheries and maritime transport export on economic growth: The case of Türkiye. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 33, 101590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2025.101590
  4. Assadzadeh, A., Behbudi, D., Miyarkolaie, N.F., & Moghadam, H.M. (2013). A study of the revealed comparative advantage in the textile and clothing industries between Iran and Turkey. International Journal of Economics and Finance Studies, 5(2), 95–107. https://izlik.org/JA37NB48TN
  5. Aydın, İ., Öztürk, R.Ç., Eroldoğan, O.T., Arslan, M., Terzi, Y., Yılmaz, S., Diken, G., Yıldırım, Ö., Bodur, T., Gültepe, N., Erdem, Ö.A., Evliyaoğlu, E., Dürrani, Ö., Gülen, G., Batır, E., Altinok, İ., & Sevgili, H. (2025). An in-depth analysis of the finfish aquaculture in Türkiye: Current status, challenges, and future prospects. Reviews in Aquaculture, 17(2), e70010. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.70010
  6. Aydın, M., & Tetik, M. (2024). The impact of technology transfer on sesame export competitiveness: Insights from Turkey and Uzbekistan. Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture & Rural Development, 24(1).
  7. Balassa, B. (1965). Trade liberalisation and "revealed" comparative advantage. The Manchester School, 33(2), 99–123.
  8. Bostock, J., Lane, A., Hough, C., & Yamamoto, K. (2016). An assessment of the economic contribution of EU aquaculture production and the influence of policies for its sustainable development. Aquaculture International, 24(3), 699–733. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-016-9992-1

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Fisheries Management, Aquaculture and Fisheries (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 23, 2026

Submission Date

April 18, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 30, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 43 Number: 3

APA
Sürmen, Y. E. (2026). Assessing Türkiye’s fisheries trade competitiveness: A comparative approach with selected Mediterranean countries and Norway as a benchmark. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 43(3), 281-289. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.12
AMA
1.Sürmen YE. Assessing Türkiye’s fisheries trade competitiveness: A comparative approach with selected Mediterranean countries and Norway as a benchmark. EgeJFAS. 2026;43(3):281-289. doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.12
Chicago
Sürmen, Yunus Emre. 2026. “Assessing Türkiye’s Fisheries Trade Competitiveness: A Comparative Approach With Selected Mediterranean Countries and Norway As a Benchmark”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43 (3): 281-89. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.12.
EndNote
Sürmen YE (July 1, 2026) Assessing Türkiye’s fisheries trade competitiveness: A comparative approach with selected Mediterranean countries and Norway as a benchmark. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43 3 281–289.
IEEE
[1]Y. E. Sürmen, “Assessing Türkiye’s fisheries trade competitiveness: A comparative approach with selected Mediterranean countries and Norway as a benchmark”, EgeJFAS, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 281–289, July 2026, doi: 10.12714/egejfas.43.3.12.
ISNAD
Sürmen, Yunus Emre. “Assessing Türkiye’s Fisheries Trade Competitiveness: A Comparative Approach With Selected Mediterranean Countries and Norway As a Benchmark”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43/3 (July 1, 2026): 281-289. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.12.
JAMA
1.Sürmen YE. Assessing Türkiye’s fisheries trade competitiveness: A comparative approach with selected Mediterranean countries and Norway as a benchmark. EgeJFAS. 2026;43:281–289.
MLA
Sürmen, Yunus Emre. “Assessing Türkiye’s Fisheries Trade Competitiveness: A Comparative Approach With Selected Mediterranean Countries and Norway As a Benchmark”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, vol. 43, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 281-9, doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.12.
Vancouver
1.Yunus Emre Sürmen. Assessing Türkiye’s fisheries trade competitiveness: A comparative approach with selected Mediterranean countries and Norway as a benchmark. EgeJFAS. 2026 Jul. 1;43(3):281-9. doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.12