This study has now been published for around 20 years and the industry has seen considerable changes during that time.
Nevertheless the study remains exemplifying the need for imported seafood, particularly whitefish to produce added value seafood within Europe.
These have been the lifeblood of the industry for many years and fulfil an essential role.
This report shows the trends in supplies of whitefish/finfish, tuna, herring, mackerel and surimi and reflects the significance of growth in consumer demand for seafood products and the market’s ability to adapt.
Sources from which EU processors have acquired their raw materials have changed significantly reflecting events occurring: Major new species that have emerged and become key components of the seafood trade in Europe include Alaska pollock from wild capture and Atlantic salmon and pangasius from aquaculture.
Without these introductions the ability of the sector to grow and respond to consumer needs and expectations would have been considerably more difficult.
Some of this year key findings are as follows:
- Total market supply has grown one per cent to 15.1 million tonnes.
- Imported share has grown to 9.394 million tonnes and equals 62 per cent.
- Whitefish import dependency has stayed level at 89 per cent for wild capture and > 91 per cent including aquaculture products.
- EU catches have reduced by 2.3 per cent to 5.224 million tonnes (inc. non-food use).
- EU aquaculture has increased by five per cent to 1.514 million tonnes.
This year is particularly important due to the number of key regulations being put forward for consultation including the reform of the CFP and CMO.
AIPCE-CEP does its best to contribute to this policy-making in its belief that a successful market is best served by having a vibrant and sustainable fishing sector here in the EU working in parallel with the use of resources from around the globe that are safe, sustainable and properly regulated.
