Peru Reduced Anchovy Quota

Peru’s Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) announced a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 1.9 million tons for the first 2026 anchovy fishing season in the country’s north-central fishing zone. This marks a reduction of more than 1 million tons compared with the 3 million ton TAC set for the same season in 2025.

In addition, authorities decided to start the first anchovy season earlier than usual as a precautionary measure against the potential effects of El Niño.

In 2023, the first fishing season was completely canceled due to El Niño conditions, resulting in export losses exceeding USD 1.4 billion.

As the world’s largest anchovy producer, Peru supplies approximately 20% of global fishmeal production. This sustainability-driven decision, based on scientific assessments, highlights the growing climate-related risks facing the fishmeal industry.

Türkiye’s aquaculture sector, which remains dependent on imported fishmeal, is expected to be negatively affected by rising fishmeal prices.

To ensure that feed demand can be met through sustainable domestic resources, investment plans for alternative protein sources should be accelerated, and feed formulations should be optimized for greater efficiency.