Meagre

Biology and habitat

Species description
The Meagre belongs to the family of Sciaenidae. This large species is native to the Eastern Atlantic Ocean.

Geographical distribution and habitat
The Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) is broadly distributed in the Northeastern and Eastern Central Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Western Indian Ocean.

Resource, expolitation and management

Stock and resource status/conservation measures
There is no minimum conservation size or quota regulation for meagre.

Production methods and fishing gears
Meagre is mainly produced in aquaculture. In the wild, the main fishing gears used are hooks and lines, seines and trawls.

Source: Information system on commercial designations

Catches

Evolution of world catches
Meagre catches reached over 3.600 tonnes in 2023, i.e. 0,004% of the global catches. The highest share is caught by the Egyptian fleet (37% of the global catches), and the EU fleet (32%). During the last decade (2014-2023), meagre catches have strongly decreased by 57% at global level in relation to the decrease of the EU and Mauritanian catches (-36% and -88% respectively).

Source: FAO

Evolution of EU catches
In 2023, the EU catches of meagre reached over 1.100 tonnes. The EU catches have decreased by 36% during the last decade. France, Spain, and Portugal were the only EU producers (contributing to 55%, 23% and 21% of the EU catches, respectively). Catches of all three MS have decreased over the past decade: -27% in France, -41% in Spain, and -46% in Portugal.

Source: FAO

Aquaculture production

Evolution of world aquaculture production
The world aquaculture production of meagre has increased by 343% in the last ten years (between 2014 and 2023), reaching 52.280 tonnes in 2023. Egypt is the main producer globally and has increased its production from around 6.000 tonnes to over 33.000 tonnes between 2014 to 2023. In  2023, it accounted for 63% of the world production, followed by the EU and Turkey which accounted for 24% and 12%, respectively.

Source: FAO

Evolution of EU aquaculture production
The EU production reached 12.552 tonnes in 2023. Spain and Greece provided 96% of EU production. The EU production has experienced a 380% increase during the last decade, driven by increases in Spain (+591%), and Greece (+459%).

Source: FAO

Processing

There is no PRODCOM code referring to meagre processed products.

Trade

There is no detailed information regarding the trade of meagre products as there is no CN code specific to meagre. However, it does not imply that meagre is not imported or exported by EU Member States.

Supply balance

No apparent consumption can be provided for meagre as the EUMOFA  methodology is based on production and trade data.

Prices along the supply chain (EUR/kg)

Wholesale (fresh)
Wholesale prices of meagre are reported for Mercamadrid (Madrid, Spain) and Rungis (France).

(*) From January to October 2025

Marketing

National lists of commercial designations

Information system on commercial designations and scientific names in all EU languages

There is no applicable marketing standard for meagre (Argyrosomus regius)

There is no name protected under Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for meagre

Consumption

Meagre is not among the 15th most consumed species in EU
(source: The EU Fish Market – 2025 edition, EUMOFA)

Nutritional value (Meagre, nutrition values per serving 100g)