Sweden

Sweden in the world and in the EU

In 2023, Sweden ranked 7th in the EU-27 in terms of fishery production and 16th for farmed 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, 96% of landings in Sweden included fresh whole/gutted products, 2% included frozen products, mainly whole/gutted as well, and the remaining 2% included cooked, salted and dried products, as well as products for which no detail is available in terms of preservation state. As for destination use, 38% of the total was for human consumption, 60% for industrial use and 2% for animal feed

There are 154 fishing ports registered in Sweden (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.

According to Eurostat in 2023, 15% of Swedish production used off bottom method in sea and brackish water and 5% used cages in sea and brackish water.

A marginal percentage (0,002%) of production is farmed in ponds in sea and brackish water.

Main commercial species farmed and % of total
2022, 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 Sweden, 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, 5 operate in the fishery sector and 2 in aquaculture.

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.

There are two fish auctions on the Swedish Western coast (one is in Göteborg, the largest, the other in Smögen) and one on the Eastern coast (Stockholm). In Göteborg, fish from all over the country is sold, including freshwater fish. Registered buyers at the auction purchase the fish from the auction for further distribution. Smögen fish auction sells fish through the PEFA system, which is an electronic fresh fish auction for the European market.

In 2025, total first sales in Sweden amounted to 84.262 tonnes and 82 million euros.

In 2025, the two auctions covered 4% and 39% of total first sales, respectively in volume and value terms.

Processing

According to Eurostat-SBS, 1.587 persons were employed in the Swedish fish processing industry in 2023. The sector recorded a value added of 78 million euros, covering 2% of the value added of total manufacture of food products.

In 2023, the main products sold were “Prepared or preserved herrings, whole or in pieces (excluding minced products and prepared meals and dishes)” and “Prepared or preserved salmon, whole or in pieces (excluding minced products and prepared meals and dishes)” (source: Eurostat-PRODCOM).

190 companies
Net turnover: 582
million euros
(2024, source: Eurostat - SBS)

Distribution

The supply chain of fisheries and aquaculture products in Sweden (source: The Swedish Board of Fisheries):

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

The Swedish Board of Agriculture could not provide estimates but as reported by the Swedish research institute RISE, the consumption in 2023 was 10 kg LWE/per person per year or 1,6 portions person per week.

The country in EUMOFA