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The European Commission has released the 2025 edition of The EU Fish Market, a key report analysing production, consumption, trade and structural trends in the European seafood sector. The picture that emerges is that of a complex market, still affected by inflationary pressure and declining household consumption, but with one positive note: Italy stands out as one of the few EU countries showing even a slight increase in apparent per capita consumption.
High prices and declining fresh seafood consumption
In 2024, European household spending on fishery and aquaculture products reached €62.8 billion, up 4% from the previous year. This increase, however, does not reflect higher consumption but rather the effect of prices remaining at historically high levels. Between 2020 and 2024, retail fish prices rose by more than 25%.
Domestic consumption of fresh fish continues to fall, and in the largest consumer countries the decline exceeded 4% between 2023 and 2024. In this context, the Italian case is particularly significant: Italy is among the few countries showing a slight rise in apparent per capita consumption, bucking the trend seen across major European markets.
EU seafood trade: slight contraction but still historically high
In 2024, the total value of EU seafood trade fell by 1%, while volumes decreased by 0.5%. Despite this, the year ranks as the third best of the past decade in terms of total transaction value.
Intra-EU trade reached €31.7 billion, surpassing extra-EU imports for the second consecutive year. Imports from non-EU countries nonetheless remain the main source of supply, amounting to 5.9 million tonnes with a value of €29.9 billion.
Trade balance: improvement for Europe, worsening for Italy
The EU’s trade balance improved by 2% in 2024, supported by rising exports (+1%) and slightly decreasing imports (-1%). The trend, however, varies across Member States. Italy, France, Spain and the Netherlands recorded a worsening deficit, highlighting the strong import dependence typical of high-demand markets.
For Italy, this confirms the strategic need to strengthen domestic production, enhance the value of national catches and boost aquaculture as a key balancing factor.
EU apparent consumption hits decade low—but Italy grows
In 2023, apparent EU consumption fell to 22.89 kg per capita, the lowest level in ten years. The decline is mainly due to reduced imports and lower aquaculture output in certain countries. Against this backdrop, Italy represents an exception: +1% compared to 2022, signalling a stable market and solid underlying demand.
Key species: trends to monitor for the Italian industry
The 2025 edition of the report highlights important dynamics affecting species central to Italian consumption and processing.
Salmon. European imports rose by 5% in 2024. In early 2025, volumes continued to increase while prices declined—a trend favourable to both consumption and processing.
Shrimp. Accounting for 10% of total EU imports, the category continues to grow. Ecuador, Argentina and India further strengthened their positions. Italian demand remains strong in both foodservice and retail.
Cod. Northeast Arctic quotas faced substantial cuts (-20% in 2024 and -25% in 2025), driving prices sharply higher. This key species for the Italian market is directly affected by supply-side pressure.
Tuna. The most consumed species in the EU. In 2024, imports rose by 18% in volume and 8% in value, with strong growth in prepared and processed products—especially relevant signals for Italy’s canning industry.
The EU Fish Market 2025 report portrays a Europe still grappling with high prices, uncertain consumption and heavy dependence on imports. Yet Italy emerges as one of the most resilient markets, supported by stable domestic demand and a stronger capacity to absorb supply than most major Member States.
For Italian seafood companies—from production and processing to distribution and foodservice—the report clearly points toward strategic priorities: diversifying supply sources, elevating product origin, strengthening aquaculture and closely monitoring species most exposed to international volatility.
For more insights on the future of Italian fisheries and the blue economy, follow ongoing coverage and analysis on Pesceinrete.
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