In 2011 the market for fisheries products continued to recover from the dramatic drops in first-sale prices in 2009. However, the unstable economic climate may influence consumers' demand and cause fish prices to fluctuate in the short term, hence the proposed prices changes are moderate.
As prices for most whitefish species have recovered from the 2009 drop, the Commission proposes increases between + one per cent and + three per cent for most whitefish species, except hake, plaice, dab and monkfish, for which decreases between -1.5 per cent and -2.5 per cent are proposed.
Pelagic species are in demand in the EU and world-wide and an increase in exports is likely. Therefore the Commission proposes to increase the guide prices between +1.5 per cent and + three per cent, except for sardines, anchovies and gutted albacore, for which decreases between –0.5 per cent and – two per cent are proposed.
For frozen fish the Commission proposes increases between + one per cent and + three per cent. With regard to tuna, the Commission proposes to increase the Community producer price for yellowfin tuna processing by + two per cent.
The proposed guide prices are based on Member States' average market prices over the previous three years. Other factors taken into account include trends in production and market demand, the interests of consumers and the need to avoid withdrawals of fisheries products from the market.
Mixed Price Changes For Fisheries Products Ahead
EU - The European Commission (EC) has tabled its annual proposal on next years guide prices for fresh and frozen fisheries products, and the EU producer price for tuna processing.
