Malta in the world and in the EU
Malta is a minor EU-27 producer of fishery products, while it ranked 14th in the EU in terms of aquaculture production in 2023.
| (1.000 tonnes) | World | EU-27 | Malta | % world | % EU-27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catches | 91.681 | 3.555 | 2 | 0,003% | 0,06% |
| Aquaculture | 136.140 | 1.043 | 21 | 0,014% | 1,99% |
| Total | 227.821 | 4.598 | 23 | 0,009% | 0,50% |
Fishing fleet
| Vessels (2024) | Capacity (2024) | Power (2024) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number: 845 | GT: 6.652 | KW: 70.231 | |
| TOTAL FTE: 728 (2023, source: JRC) | |||
| 0-11 m | 12-23 m | 24-39 m | >40 m |
| Jobs (FTE): 73% | Jobs (FTE): 15% | Jobs (FTE): 12% | Jobs (FTE): 0% |
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.
Landings in Malta only include fresh whole/gutted products destined for human consumption.
There are 12 fishing ports registered in the country (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.
In Malta, aquaculture occurs in sea and brackish water. The following main production methods were used in 2023:
- 90% of production: in cages;
- 10% of production: in enclosures and pens.
Main commercial species farmed and % of total
2023, million euros (nominal value) and 1.000 tonnes
Distribution
The chart shows percentages representing how consumers prefer different purchasing channels, such as markets, fishmonger or specialist shop, grocery stores or supermarkets, or direct purchases from producers like fisher men.
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)
Consumption
Given the significant relevance of imports of frozen fish likely used directly as fish feed in the Maltese bluefin tuna fattening industry, available data and information for Malta do not allow to produce precise estimates. However, annual per capita apparent consumption can be estimated between 30-40 kg LWE.
The country in EUMOFA
| Landings | Aquaculture |
Volumes and values are collected from Eurostat – Fishery. They are available on a yearly basis and accessible through dashboards, as well as through the bulk download facility. | Volumes and values are collected from Eurostat – Fishery. They are available on a yearly basis and accessible through dashboards, as well as through the bulk download facility. |
| First sales | Wholesale |
No data available | No data available |
| Import - Export | Processing |
Volumes and values are collected from Eurostat – COMEXT. Data concern trade flows of all fisheries and aquaculture products as recorded by national customs. They are available on a monthly and yearly basis and accessible through dashboards, as well as through the bulk download facility. | No data available |
| Consumption | |
No data available |
- Malti