Positive Performance in French Fish Auctions

Overall French fishing auctions increased fish sales in both volume and value in 2011 compared to 2010. The volume of sales rose by three per cent while price rose by six per cent and overall value by nine per cent. The rise in price is due to higher fish prices but also due to less landings of lower value such as sardines. Another positive signal which demonstrates better demand is the decrease in auction withdrawal ratio which came to 2.2 per cent in 2011 compared to 3.5 per cent in 2010.

The number of French auctions that have installed distance selling facilities has increased with the majority of auction now proposing this option. More buyers can therefore access auctions including restaurants, thereby increasing fish value and allowing the more isolated auctions to increase visibility.

In spite of good auction performance France has had a difficult year for fresh fish consumption. The raise in international demand leading to higher prices and a difficult economic year has lowered consumption. Volumes of fresh fish sold for home consumption decreased by five per cent in 2011 while price increased by 4.4 per cent.
The top three species sold in French auctions by value in 2011 were Sole, Monk and Seabass where as in volume terms the top three species were sardines, scallop and whiting.