High prices continue to affect EU household consumption
According to the report, EU household expenditure on fishery and aquaculture products reached 62,8 billion euros in 2024, growing by 4% compared with 2023. This marks the third consecutive year of rising spending. However, this growth reflects persistently high price levels, not an increase in consumption. At-home purchases of fresh fish continued to fall across the highest-consuming markets, decreasing by more than 4% between 2023 and 2024. Since 2020, prices for aquatic products have risen by over 25%: this contributed to the decline in household consumption, even if this price increase is less significant than for other animal proteins.
A second year of declining EU trade flows
In 2024, the total nominal value of EU trade in fishery and aquaculture products fell by 1%, while volumes decreased by 0,5%. Despite this slowdown, 2024 still recorded the third-highest trade value of the decade (2015–2024).
- Intra-EU trade: 5,8 million tonnes worth 31,7 billion euros (–1% for both value and volume).
- Extra-EU imports: 5,9 million tonnes worth 29,9 billion euros (value –1%, volume stable).
- Extra-EU exports: 8,3 billion euros (+1% in value), though volumes decreased by 1% to their lowest level since 2019.
These trends reflect a general slowdown following the sharp expansion observed in 2022 and continued inflationary pressures.
Slight improvement in the EU trade balance
The EU trade deficit narrowed by 2% in 2024 due to rising exports and reduced imports. Groundfish and non-food use products contributed to this improvement, while tuna species saw their trade deficit expand.
At Member State level, developments were mixed: Spain, France, Italy and the Netherlands saw their deficits widen, whereas Denmark, Sweden and Germany recorded improvements.
Lowest apparent consumption in a decade
Apparent consumption in the EU reached 22,89 kg per capita in 2023, the lowest level of the last ten years and 3% lower than in 2022. The decline was mainly driven by falling aquaculture production and lower imports, offset only partially by an increase in catches.
- Wild product consumption: 16,36 kg per capita (lowest in a decade)
- Farmed product consumption: 6,53 kg per capita (close to long-term average)
For the first time since 2018, the EU’s self-sufficiency rate rose, reaching 38,1%.
Key dynamics of major species
Salmon
EU salmon imports increased by 5% in 2024, supported by higher European aquaculture production. Import values remained stable at 8,4 billion euros, among the highest ever recorded. Early 2025 data show strong growth in volumes (+12%), although values decreased due to lower prices.
Shrimps
Shrimp imports rose nearly 4% in volume in 2024, with values remaining stable. Warmwater shrimp accounted for 54% of import volume. In early 2025, shrimp imports further strengthened, with volumes increasing by 10% and values by 15% year-on-year.
Cod
Tighter quotas for Northeast Arctic cod supported rising prices, which reached 6,90 EUR/kg in 2024. In early 2025, prices surged to 8,22 EUR/kg, reflecting an 8% decline in supply.
Tuna
Tuna remained one of the most important species for EU consumers. In 2024, tuna imports increased by 18% in volume and 8% in value, driven primarily by skipjack and yellowfin. Growth continued into early 2025.
Alaska pollock
Import volumes fell by 17% in 2024, mainly due to reduced shipments from China. Early 2025 saw a rebound: +16% in volume and nearly +20% in value.
Macroeconomic background
The 2025 edition highlights a stabilising economic environment:
- EU inflation declined from 6.4% (2023) to 2,6% (2024) and stabilised around 2,3% in 2025.
- Marine fuel prices dropped from 0,93 EUR/l in 2022 to 0,59 EUR/l in 2025, easing cost pressures on the EU fleet.
- Producer prices for fishery and aquaculture products showed moderate growth, following the sharp increases recorded in 2022.