Macroeconomic context
Average prices for marine fuel in February 2025 ranged between 0,61 and 0,80 EUR/litre in ports in France, Italy, Spain and the UK. Prices decreased by an average of about 1,4% compared with the previous month and by an average of 9,7% compared with the same month in 2024.
First sales in Europe
In January 2025, first-sales value reached 265,3 million euros and volume totaled 124.373 tonnes. The value declined by 7% compared to January 2023, mainly due to drops in cephalopods (–19%), groundfish (–14%), and flatfish (–19%), but increased by 6% compared to January 2024, driven by small pelagics (+9%). While first-sales volumes remained stable year-on-year, they were 20% lower than in January 2023, with significant declines in small pelagics (–17%) and groundfish (–55%). In January 2025, Germany saw a decrease in Greenland halibut first-sales value and volume compared to January 2024, with December 2024 landings at 880 tonnes. In Italy, January 2025 saw an increase in both the value and volume of anchovy, with the average price rising from 1,71 EUR/kg to 3,33 EUR/kg.
Extra-EU imports
Of “other marine fish” in the period January - November 2024, extra-EU accounted for a total value of 1,480 million euros and total volume of 265.575 tonnes, which are virtually unchanged from the same period in 2023.
Consumption
In the period from January to December 2024, household consumption of fresh other marine species is monitored in France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Consumption of fresh gilthead seabream shows a downward trend in volume. While in January 2025 it was 4% higher than in the same period the previous year, it was still 24% lower than three years ago, in January 2022. Price has shown an upward trend; in January 2025 it was 9% higher than in January 2024 and 25% higher than in January 2022.
The most recent consumption data can be accessed on the dashboard household consumption of fresh products.
EU trade in fishery and aquaculture products
In 2024, EU imports of fishery and aquaculture products from third countries amounted to 5,9 million tonnes (product weight) valued at 29,2 billion euros. Compared to 2023 this was a 1% decrease in terms of volume and a 2% decrease in terms of value. The export volume from the EU to non-EU countries reached 2,2 million tonnes in 2024, a 1% decrease compared to 2023. The total value reached 8,27 billion euros, up from 8,1 billion euros in 2023 (+2%). In 2024, intra-EU trade of fishery and aquaculture products amounted to 5,7 million tonnes worth 31,5 billion euros.
Horse and Jack mackerel in the EU
Over the period (2015-2024), average first-sale prices of Atlantic horse mackerel were higher than those of blue jack mackerel. In 2024, they reached respectively 1,44 EUR/kg and 0,98 EUR/kg. Since 2022, first-sale prices of Atlantic horse mackerel increased by 25% (in relation to the volume decrease) while those of blue jack mackerel decreased by 11%.