Challenges for revitalizing seafood exports in Hatay's of Türkiye: A comparative analysis (2008-2023)

A comparative analysis of seafood exports in the Hatay region between 2008 and 2023, in relation to overall trends in Türkiye and different regions, was conducted. Seafood export data was obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute. The export amount has been in a long-term decline fishing and seafood production potential of Hatay, contrary to the general trend in Türkiye. Specifically, the export amount decreased by 62% since 2018, while it decreased by 22.65% in 2023 compared to the previous year. This ongoing downward trend can be attributed to the COVID-19, Syrian civil war, and the recent devastating earthquake in the region. Despite the high potential for seafood production in the region, investments have been limited due to the lack of allocation in organized industrial zones. Additionally, the absence of a wholesale fish market is a major issue preventing the emergence of a regional market. All these factors have caused disruptions in the supply chain and production, increased input costs, and market uncertainties both domestically and internationally. This indicates that infrastructure investments in the region must be prioritized by all stakeholders, the central authority, decisionmakers and policymakers for sustainable seafood exports contributing to regional development. In conclusion, despite the strong industrial and logistics infrastructure in Iskenderun Bay, the seafood sector in Hatay has failed to reach its full potential, unlike the national trend in Türkiye. This shortfall is directly reflected in export values. Therefore, necessary measures must be taken to effectively utilize the region's seafood potential.