Ireland

Ireland in the world and in the EU

In 2023, Ireland ranked 6th in the EU-27 in terms of fishery production and 6th in terms of aquaculture production.

Fishing fleet

Landings

Landings comprise the initial unloading of any fisheries products from on board a fishing vessel in a given Member State. They include aquatic plants and species not destined for human consumption. Landings are recorded in net weight and value, and concern landings made by vessels from EU Member States, Iceland, Norway and the UK.

In 2023, Irish landings include almost entirely fresh whole/gutted products destined for human consumption, although smaller quantities include products for industrial, animal feed and unknown uses.

There are 172 fishing ports registered in Ireland (source: EU Master Data Register, 03 December 2025).

Main commercial species landed and % of total
2023, million euros (nominal value) and 1.000 tonnes

Aquaculture

Aquaculture consists in the farming of aquatic (fresh or saltwater) organisms, such as fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants. Aquaculture data are reported in live weight equivalent and value.

The majority of Irish production occurs in sea and brackish water, while only 1% takes place in freshwater. The following main production methods were used:

• 59% of production: off bottom in sea brackish water;
• 28% of production: in cages in sea and brackish water;
• 12% of production: on bottom in sea and brackish water.

Main commercial species farmed and % of total
2023, million euros (nominal value) and 1.000 tonnes

Producer organisations

Source: European Commission, List of the recognised producer organisations in the fishery and aquaculture sector

In Ireland, 7 producer organisations (POs) are formally recognized. Their role is to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and of the Common organisation of the markets (CMO) through the collective management of their members' activities.

Of the 7 POs, 4 operate in the fishery sector, 1 operates in aquaculture and 2 in both the fishery and aquaculture sectors.

First sales

First sales concern the fish that is sold or registered at an auction center or to registered buyers or to producer organizations (PO). First sales may differ from landings since the former do not cover fish that is landed by vessels owned by processing companies or direct sales to processors.

In 2025, total first sales amounted to 171.610 tonnes and 241 million euros.

The top-3 places of sale covered 81% and 55% of total first sales, respectively in volume and value terms.

Wholesale

Wholesale is an intermediary stage in the distribution channel that buys in bulk and sells to resellers (e.g. retailers) rather than to consumers.

There are no structured wholesale markets in Ireland, but several companies operate as wholesale distributors. Due to consolidation during the last few years, approximately 80% of the market is now controlled by six wholesalers. The wholesale distributors buy products both from fisheries and aquaculture, but the major bulk of their products is imported. Source: Bord Iascaigh Mhara.

Processing

According to Eurostat-SBS, 2.483 persons were employed in the Irish fish processing industry in 2023. The sector recorded a value added of 357 million euros, covering 4% of the value added of total manufacture of food products.

In 2024, the main products sold were “Frozen whole salt water fish” and “Fresh or chilled fish fillets and fish meat (including shark fins), whether or not minced” (source: Eurostat-PRODCOM).

118 companies
Net turnover: 600
million euros
(2024, source: Eurostat - SBS)

Import

Main commercial species imported
and % of total imports
2024, million euros (nominal value)

Export

Main commercial species exported
and % of total exports
2024, million euros (nominal value)

Distribution

The supply chain of fisheries and aquaculture products in Ireland (source: Bord Iascaigh Mhara):

Consumption

The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority could not provide estimates, but EUMOFA has estimated that the average per capita apparent consumption over the last three years has been around 20,00 kg LWE.

The country in EUMOFA