Global catches of sole species reached 20.779 tonnes in 2022, consisting almost entirely of the common sole. Catches decreased by 43% compared to 2013. In 2022, the EU accounted for 66% of total catches with the Netherlands, France and Belgium as the main producing countries. Main non-EU producing countries include the UK and Morocco. Global sole production also includes a small share of Senegalese sole from aquaculture, which reached 1.730 tonnes in 2022.
Catches of common sole in the EU reached 11.927 tonnes in 2023 (overall catches for other sole species remain under 100 tonnes). The main producing countries in 2023 were France, the Netherlands (both 27% of the total), Belgium (20%) and Italy (14%). Aquaculture production of Senegalese sole reached 1.395 tonnes; the main producing countries were Spain (53%) and Portugal (47%). Apparent consumption in the EU reached 15.275 tonnes live weight equivalent (LWE) in 2023. The main markets within the EU are France, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Sole is mainly consumed in the HORECA sector, particularly in restaurants. In retail, common sole is mainly sold fresh, whole and gutted. The common sole market is mostly segmented by size. Production of sole has significantly decreased over the past decade (-43% globally, -53% among EU producers) due to the depletion of some stocks and a decline in quotas. The reduction in supply has led to a significant rise in prices over the same period of time.
This study focuses on three Member States (MS) among the largest markets in the EU: France, the Netherlands and Belgium.
In 2023, France was the largest market for sole in the EU, with an apparent consumption of 4.124 tonnes LWE. It was also the first producing country (2nd in 2022), with catches amounting to 3.263 tonnes. The volume of catches of sole in France has decreased by 58% over the past decade, mainly due to a depletion of the resources, especially in the North Sea, and consequently a decline in total allowable catches (TAC) and quotas. Apparent consumption has decreased by 44% in volume over the past decade, as both production and exports declined more than imports. In 2023, French imports of sole reached 2.182 tonnes LWE, and consisted mainly of fresh fish. The main supplier countries are the UK, the Netherlands and Spain. Exports reached 1.270 tonnes LWE. The French consumption market for sole is dominated by the HoReCa sector (70% of the volume sold in France), especially restaurants. Consumption of sole is geographically concentrated on the seaside and in the Paris area. In retail, sole is the 17th fish species purchased fresh by consumers in France. Compared to other fish species, fresh sole is characterised by a lower share of sales in large retail (50% in volume, 46% in value) and a higher share in outdoor markets, fishmongers and other sale channels. The French market for sole is mainly segmented by fish sizes. Large sizes are sold at higher prices (mainly in the HoReCa, also in retail as fillets) than small sizes (“sole portion” sold mainly in retail). First sale and retail prices of sole rose significantly in France over the past years.
In 2023, the Netherlands was the fifth market for sole in the EU, with an apparent consumption estimated at 1.639 tonnes LWE. In the same year, it was also the second producing country (1st in 2022), with catches amounting to 3.202 tonnes. Dutch catches have decreased by 64% since 2014 due to the TAC reduction in the North Sea. Total imports of sole have also decreased by 25% in volume and total exports by 42%. The decline of the supply resulted in a 68% decrease in the Dutch apparent consumption of sole over the 2014-2023 period. The local market for sole is relatively small (25% of the national supply in 2023) and sole is almost exclusively consumed in restaurants despite being a popular fish. Dutch consumption consists of size 5 sole (120 to 200 g), also locally called Sliptong. Larger soles are exported to Italy (size 4 and size 3), Belgium and France (size 1 and size 2). Exports are for both fresh and frozen sole. First sale and retail prices of sole have significantly increased in the past years in relation to the decrease in supply.
In 2023, Belgium was the fourth market for sole in the EU (after France, Italy and Spain), with an apparent consumption estimated at 2.072 tonnes LWE. It was the third producing country, with catches amounting to 2.405 tonnes. The volume of catches of sole in Belgium has decreased by 33% over the last decade due to the decline in quotas in the North Sea. Similarly, apparent consumption has decreased by 27%. In 2023, Belgium's imports of sole reached 1.114 tonnes, consisting mainly of fresh fish. Exports amounted to 1.476 tonnes, with the Netherlands being the main destination. Sole is a popular fish in Belgium, consumed both at home and in restaurants. The market for fresh sole in Belgium is segmented by size: Larger soles (size 1) are exported to the Netherlands to be frozen before being shipped to the U.S., while size 2 is mainly served in Belgian restaurants due to its ideal fillet size. Smaller sizes (3 to 5) are consumed at home and sold in supermarkets, typically in packs of 2 to 5. Consumption peaks in spring and summer. First sale and retail prices of sole have risen significantly in Belgium, especially since 2021.