EUMOFA, European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products - Monthly highlights. No. 9/2017.
Date: 2018-03-27
Institutions: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
Subjects: aquaculture, fisheries policy, fishery product, serial publication, trade policy

No. 9/2017 

MONTHLY 
HIGHLIGHTS 

In this issue 
In  January–August  2017,  first-sales  value  increased  in  Latvia, 
Lithuania  and  Portugal  over  the  same  period  in  2016.  The  opposite 
trend was  experienced in Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Norway, 
Sweden,  and  the  UK.  First-sales  value  remained  stable  for  France. 
First-sales  value  of  cod  increased  in  Lithuania.  Mackerel  first  sales 
increased  in  Belgium,  Denmark,  and  Italy.  First-sales  volume  of 
Norway lobster increased in Denmark and Norway, but decreased in 
Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, and the UK. 

In  January–August  2017,  European  seabass  average  unit  prices 
increased in France (+3%) and Portugal (+1%), while they decreased 
in the UK (−9%), compared with January–August 2016. Mussels first-
sales  average  prices  decreased  in  Denmark  (−8%)  and  Portugal 
(−3%), and increased in Italy (+8%). 

Sardine  first-sales  prices  increased  in  Italy  (+30%)  and  the  UK 
(+72%), but decreased in France (−13%) and Portugal (−17%). 

In  September  2017,  the  Northwest  Atlantic  Fisheries  Organisation 
(NAFO) agreed on a new and more modern multi-annual management 
rule  for  Greenland  halibut,  and  the  EU  led  the  way  in  proposing 
solutions for management decisions on cod and redfish in the Flemish 
Cap. 

In  2015,  EU  fleets  provided  almost  a  third  of  the  world  swordfish 
supply. Spain was by far the largest producer, with more than 21.000 
tonnes landed in 2015. However, the main market for swordfish in the 
EU  is Italy  with significant imports from  Spain  and  Portugal  but  also 
from Asian countries. 

Greece  is the main  European supplier  of farmed  European seabass 
and  gilthead  seabream  and  has  also  been  the  main  Mediterranean 
supplier until recently when bypassed in total volumes (both species) 
by Turkey. 

In January–July 2017, the retail prices of fresh haddock for household 
consumption  in  Ireland  and  the  UK  were  10,31  EUR/kg  and  10,14 
EUR/kg,  respectively.  In  Sweden,  the  average  price  was  14,47 
EUR/kg. 

1 

CONTENTS 

First sales in Europe 

Focus on European seabass 
(France, Portugal, the UK) and 
mussel (Denmark, Portugal, Italy)    

Global Supply 

Case study: Swordfish in the EU 
market; Seabass and seabream in 
Greece  

Consumption: Haddock in Ireland, 
Sweden, and the UK 

Macroeconomic context 

Find data, information, 
and more at: 
www.eumofa.eu 

Follow us on twitter: 
@EU_MARE #EUMOFA  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.09/2017

7

1. First sales in Europe

In January–August  2017, ten EU Member  States  and 
Norway  reported  first-sales  data  for  11  commodity 
groups.1  First-sales  value  increased  over  the  previous 
year  (January–August  2016)  for  Latvia,  Lithuania,  and 
in 
Portugal.  An  opposite 
Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and 
the UK. First-sales value remained stable for France. 

trend  was  experienced 

In  Belgium  in  January–August  2017,  first  sales 
decreased in both value (−6%) and volume (−8%) from 
January–August 2016. Compared with January–August 
2016, the significant decrease in value recorded for the 
main species, sole (−17%) and plaice (−4%), was more 
than offset by positive trends observed for some of the 
other major species: turbot (+31%), monk (+18%), and 
ray (+8%). In August 2017, first sales increased in value 
(+6%) and decreased in volume (−6%). Sole (+2%) and 
turbot (+57%) increased in value, whereas plaice (−8%) 
and ray (−21%) decreased in volume. The average price 
increased  substantially 
for  cuttlefish  and  shrimp 
Crangon (both +42%). 

In Denmark in January–August 2017, first-sales value 
was EUR 212 million, a 6% decrease from 2016, while 
volume  decreased  slightly  (−2%),  ending  at  148.444 
tonnes.  Larger  landings  of  herring  led  to  lower  prices 
(−29%), whereas smaller landings of cod (−17%) did not 
affect  its  prices,  which  decreased  slightly  (−3%)  from 
first-sales  value 
August  2016. 
In  August  2017, 
decreased  5%,  whereas  volume 
increased  6%, 
compared with August 2016. Larger landings and lower 
prices  of  Norway  lobster  (−13%)  and  saithe  (−23%) 
contributed to the decrease in value. 

In  January–August  2017,  Estonia  saw  decreases  in 
both first-sales value and volume (both −11%) from the 
same  period  in  2016.  First-sales  value  increased  in 
August  2017  (+57%)  thanks  to  herring  and  European 
perch, and experienced a substantial increase (+400%) 
in volume over August 2016, mainly because of herring. 

In  France 
first  sales 
in  January–August  2017, 
remained  stable  in  both  value  and  volume  compared 
with January–August 2016. Because value and volume 
remained stable in August 2017, the average price did 
not  change  significantly  compared  with  August  2016. 
European seabass and red mullet recorded increases in 
value (+4%  and +15%, respectively) despite  price falls 
(−6%  and  −14%,  respectively).  By  contrast,  monk 
(−10%)  and  hake  (−9%)  experienced  decreases  in 
volume  partly  compensated  by  price  rises  (+2%  and 
+3%,  respectively).  The  albacore  season  proceeded
better  than  the  previous  year,  leading  to  substantial
increases in value (+94%) and average price (+7%) over
August 2016.

In Italy in January–August 2017, first sales decreased 
in value and volume (both −4%) from the same period in 
2016.  Anchovy,  clam,  deep-water  rose  shrimp,  hake, 
octopus, swordfish, and red mullet represented 48% of 
total first-sales value. In August 2017, a negative trend 
was  also  observed  in  value  (−5%)  and  volume  (−8%), 
compared  with  August  2016.  The  most  important 
in  August  2017  were  anchovy, 
species 
swordfish, and clam (−8%, −7%, and −5%, respectively, 
from August 2016). Decreases in the volume of sardine 
(−29%) and hake (−15%) were offset by significant price 

in  value 

increases  (from  0,84  to  1,09  EUR/kg  for  sardine  and 
from  7,04  to  7,20  EUR/kg  for  hake).  For  octopus,  the 
increase  in  volume  (+33%)  had  little  impact  on  prices 
(from 7,83 EUR/kg to 7,85 EUR/kg).  

In  January–August  2017,  Latvia  experienced 
increases in first-sales value (+8%) and volume (+15%) 
over January–August 2016. This was caused mainly by 
cod (+44% in value, +20% in volume) and smelt (+45% 
in  value,  +115%  in  volume)  and  sprat  (+11%  in  value, 
+22%  in volume).  In  August  2017, the falling  value  of
herring (−14%) contributed to decreases  in  overall first
sales  value  (−3%),  whereas  larger  landings  of  sprat
(+30%) contributed to  greater first-sales  volume (+5%)
over August 2016.

landings  of  herring 

In  Lithuania  in  January–August  2017,  first  sales 
increased  in  value  (+6%)  because  of  cod  (+5%), 
whereas  they  decreased  in  volume  (−22%),  mainly 
because  of  smaller 
(−48%) 
compared  with  the  same  period  in  2016.  In  August 
2017,  the  volume  of  landings  was  reduced  by  the 
fisheries’  seasonality.  Only  a 
few  species  were 
registered:  European  flounder  (4.682  tonnes)  and  cod 
(1.655  tonnes).  Pike-perch  experienced  the  greatest 
increase in average price (+38%), whereas the price of 
European  flounder  decreased  (−15%)  from  August 
2016. 

the  volume 

increased  7%.  Of 

In  Norway,  first-sales  value  in  January–August  2017 
decreased 2% from January–August 2016. In the same 
period, 
the  main 
commercial  species,  blue  whiting  (−41%),  herring 
(−12%),  and  saithe  (−17%)  contributed  most  to  the 
overall  decrease  in  value.  Volume  increased  over 
January–August  2016,  mainly  as  a  result  of  larger 
landings of blue whiting (+17%) and herring (+14%). In 
August  2017,  first-sales  value  and  volume  decreased 
12% and 15%, mainly because of cod (−14% and −9%, 
respectively) and herring (−57% and −42%) from August 
2016. Except for haddock (+31%), prices decreased for 
herring  (−26%),  saithe  (−35%),  and  Greenland  halibut 
(−25%). 

In Portugal, first-sales value increased (+3%), whereas 
volume  decreased  (−3%)  in  January–August  2017 
compared with the same  period  in 2016. Octopus (first 
sales  rose  from  EUR  22,1  million  in  January–August 
2016  to  EUR  22,4  million),  anchovy  (from  EUR  3,9 
million  to  EUR  8,7  million),  and  sole  (from  EUR  5,4 
million to EUR 6,1 million) were the main contributors to 
the  increase  in  value.  In  August  2017,  first  sales 
decreased  in  value  (−6%)  from  August  2016,  but 
increased  in  volume  (+9%).  Mackerel  (−3%),  sardine 
(−22%),  scabbardfish  (−33%),  and  octopus  (−30%) 
contributed  substantially  to  the  overall  August  2017 
decrease  in  value  from  August  2016.  The  greatest 
increase  in  average  price  was  observed  for  octopus 
(+74%) and Norway lobster (+41%). 

In  Sweden,  first-sales  value  and  volume  decreased  in 
January–August  2017  from  the  same  period  in  2016. 
They reached EUR 42 million (−26%) at 50.425 tonnes 
(−34%).  This  was  caused  mainly  by  herring,  Norway 
lobster,  and  sprat, 
fisheries’ 
seasonality. In August 2017, both first-sales value and 
volume decreased (−36% and −15%, respectively) from 

influenced  by 

the 

2 

European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.09/2017 

7 

August 2016. This was owing to Norway lobster (−49% 
in value and −39% in volume) and sprat (−76% in value 
and  −84%  in  volume).  The  average  prices  increased 
most  significantly  for  sole  (+92%)  and  sprat  (+44%), 
reaching 11,08 EUR/kg and 0,17 EUR/kg, respectively.  

In January–August 2017, the UK first-sales value and 
volume decreased 26% from the same  period in 2016, 
mostly the result of decreases in the value and volume 
of  Norway  lobster  (−35%  and  −30%,  respectively)  and 
mackerel (−2% and −12%, respectively).  

In  August  2017,  both  first-sales  value  (−44%)  and 
volume (−39%) decreased from August 2016. This was 
caused by smaller landings of herring (–26%) and crab 
(−42%)  at  a  lower  average  price  (−47%  and  −0,2%, 
respectively). 

The most recent first-sales data for September 
2017 available on EUMOFA can be accessed here. 

Table 1. 

JANUARY–AUGUST FIRST-SALES OVERVIEW OF THE REPORTING COUNTRIES (volume in tonnes and 
value in million EUR) 

Country 

January–August 
2015 

January–August 
2016 

January–August 
2017 

Change from 
January–August 
2016 

Belgium 

Denmark 

Estonia 

France 

Italy 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Norway 

Portugal 

Sweden 

Belgium 

Denmark 

Estonia 

France 

Italy 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Norway 

Portugal 

Sweden 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

11.159 

42,99 

11.119 

43,37 

10.268 

40,76 

161.589 

194,35 

151.677 

225,16 

148.444 

212,37 

−8% 

−2% 

−6% 

−6% 

36.424 

8,11 

33.187 

7,77 

29.550 

6,92 

−11% 

−11% 

129.336 

431,28 

129.024 

431,80 

127.537 

432,12 

59.209 

216,24 

56.112 

216,63 

53.844 

208,26 

32.499 

1.151 

8,00 

0,87 

31.575 

1.415 

6,82 

0,99 

36.229 

1.109 

7,35 

1,05 

1.906.727 

1.365,06  1.727.244 

1.410,88  1.853.432 

1.379,34 

72.076 

129,68 

64.735 

127,43 

62.978 

131,63 

121.996 

65,97 

76.928 

56,85 

50.425 

42,16 

−1% 

−4% 

15% 

−22% 

7% 

−3% 

−34% 

−26% 

0% 

−4% 

8% 

6% 

−2% 

3% 

−26% 

−26% 

United Kingdom 

258.554 

467,82 

281.279 

513,63 

208.150 

382,25 

Table 2. 

AUGUST FIRST-SALES OVERVIEW OF THE REPORTING COUNTRIES (volume in tonnes and value in million 
EUR) 

Country 

August 2015 

August 2016 

August 2017 

Change from 
August 2016 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

1.245 

5,02 

1.280 

5,10 

1.206 

5,40 

30.932 

35,34 

30.532 

39,45 

32.513 

37,48 

−6% 

6% 

117 

0,11 

80 

0,14 

400 

0,21 

400% 

17.239 

56,17 

16.406 

58,76 

16.167 

5.377 

2.394 

25,31 

0,56 

6.057 

2.187 

26,15 

0,42 

4 

0,003 

1,24 

0,001 

5.602 

2.303 

10 

110.116 

109,08 

125.122 

102,29 

105.786 

12.658 

20,51 

11.848 

22,81 

12.867 

7.589 

9,72 

8.789 

9,95 

7.484 

58,68 

24,90 

0,41 

0,01 

90,43 

21,51 

6,37 

−1% 

−8% 

5% 

709% 

−15% 

9% 

−15% 

−39% 

United Kingdom 

39.336 

65,78 

47.157 

79,41 

28.792 

44,15 

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.10.2017); volume data is reported in net weight. 
*Partial data. First-sales data for Italy covers 229 ports (approximately 50% of the total landings). 

6% 

−5% 

57% 

0% 

−5% 

−3% 

403% 

−12% 

−6% 

−36% 

−44% 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

1.1.  FOCUS ON EUROPEAN SEABASS 
AND MUSSEL IN SELECTED 
COUNTRIES 

1.1.1.  EUROPEAN SEABASS 

European 
seabass 
(Dicentrarchus  labrax) 
slow-growing, 
a 
is 
species. 
long-lived 
Juveniles 
in 
live 
estuaries,  and  adults 
migrate  seasonally  to 
offshore  spawning  sites  and  some  inshore  areas.  The 
combination  of  slow  growth,  late  maturity,  spawning 
aggregation,  and  strong  site 
the 
vulnerability of seabass to overexploitation and localised 
depletion2. It is fished throughout the year in the Atlantic, 
from  Norway  and  the  British  Isles  to  Morocco  and  the 
Canary  Islands,  as  well  as  in  the  Mediterranean  and 
Black seas3.   

increase 

fidelity 

The  commercial  fishing  fleet  that  catches  seabass 
comprises  a  wide  diversity  of  vessel  size,  range,  and 
gears.  A  large  part  of  the  fleet  is  made  up  of  small 
vessels (shorter than 12 m), which are mainly active in 
the  12-mile  zone.  Seabass  is  traditionally  caught  with 
longlines,  trawlers,  and  gillnets.  In  France,  more  than 
220  small  vessels  using  lines,  with  more  than  270 
sailors, depend for more than 50% of their revenue from 
seabass.  Twenty-one  pelagic  (midwater)  trawlers  and 
approximately 100 sailors derive more than 50% of their 
revenue from seabass4. 

Seabass is popular among recreational anglers. France 
has the largest recreational fishery for seabass with 1,3 
million anglers, followed by the UK and the Netherlands. 
It  is  estimated  that  recreational  angling  contributes 
approximately  25%  to  seabass  catches.  The  minimum 
conservation reference size of northern stock of seabass 
(Celtic Sea, Channel, Irish Sea and southern North Sea) 
is 42 cm5.  

On 13 December 2016, the European Council adopted 
the following measures for managing seabass in 2017: 

•  No  fishing  for  seabass  by  commercial  vessels 
targeting  seabass,  except  for  longlines,  pole,  and 
lines;  
A two-month closure in February and March 2017; 
A maximum catch limit of 10 tonnes per year; 
A monthly limit of 250 kg for vessels deploying fixed 
gillnets and traps to cover unavoidable bycatch; 
A small bycatch allowance of 3% and a maximum 
of 400 kg for demersal trawlers and seiners. 

• 
• 
• 

• 

In France, in January–August 2017, the accumulated 
first  sales  of  European  seabass  at  EUR  21,28  million 
decreased  in  value  (−2%)  corresponding  to  1.499 
tonnes  (−5%)  from  January–August  2016.  First  sales 
were  substantially  lower  in  both  value  (−18%),  and 
volume  (−28%)  than  January–August  2015.  In  August 
2017,  first  sales  increased  in  both  value  (+4%)  and 
volume (+11%) over August 2016.  

European seabass is landed mainly in the Bay of Biscay, 
with five ports covering 48% of first-sales value in 2017: 
(Saint-Pierre-
Les  Sables-d'Olonne,  La  Cotinière 
d'Oléron), Guilvinec, and Audierne. 

Figure 1.  EUROPEAN SEABASS: FIRST SALES IN 

FRANCE 

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.10.2017). 

In  Portugal  in  January–August  2017,  first  sales  of 
seabass  were  EUR  3,5  million  and  307  tonnes.  They 
increased  in  both value (+9%)  and volume (+8%)  over 
January–August 2016. Compared with the same period 
in 2015, they increased significantly in value (+38%) and 
volume  (+47%).  In  August  2017  first  sales  decreased 
(−3%  in  value,  −7%  volume)  compared  with  August 
2016. 

Peniche, Sesimbra, Viana  do  Castelo,  and Nazaré  are 
the main ports on the Western coast of Portugal where 
most seabass is landed (70% in value). 

Recreational  anglers  have  to  practise  a  catch  and 
release fishery in the first half of the year and limit their 
catches to one fish per day in the second half of 2017. 

The  European  Council  also  closed  an  area  around 
Ireland  for  commercial  fishing,  namely  the  Celtic  Sea, 
Irish  Sea,  and  south  and  west  of  Ireland  (ICES  areas 
VIIa,b,c,g,j,k,  outside  the  UK  12-mile  zone)6.  These 
measures  aim  to  bring  the  stock  under  maximum 
sustainable yield (MSY). 

4 

0,001,002,003,004,005,006,000100200300400500600OctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAug2014201520162017ValueVolumeVolume (tonnes)Value (million EUR) 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

France, the lowest price was observed in January 2015, 
when 550 tonnes of seabass cost 8,68 EUR/kg. 

For the past three  years,  Portuguese  prices  peaked  in 
August. Prices spiked in August 2015,  ending  at 18,04 
EUR/kg for 16 tonnes. The lowest first-sales prices were 
in  February  2016  with  8,81  EUR/kg  for  67  tonnes.  In 
January–August 2017, the average unit price was 11,45 
EUR/kg,  a  slight  increase  over  January–August  2016 
(+1%)  and  a  decrease  from  January–August  2015 
(−6%). 

Average  prices  in the UK  in January–August  2017  are 
the  lowest  of  the  countries  surveyed.  In  the  last  three 
years,  the  highest  average  price  (13,44  EUR/kg)  was 
registered  in  May  2016  when  46  tonnes  were  landed. 
They  dropped  when  the  supply  was  greater,  reaching 
the  lowest  value  (7,64  EUR/kg)  in  November  2014, 
when 129 tonnes were landed. In January–August 2017, 
the  average  price  was  lower  (11,28  EUR/kg)  than  the 
same period in 2016 (−9%) and in 2015 (−2%).  

Figure 4.  EUROPEAN SEABASS: FIRST-SALES 

PRICE IN SELECTED COUNTRIES 

Figure 2.  EUROPEAN SEABASS: FIRST SALES IN 

PORTUGAL 

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.10.2017). 

In the UK in January–August 2017, first sales of seabass 
reached EUR 3,57 million and 317 tonnes. They increased 
in  both  value  (+13%)  and  volume  (+24%)  over  January–
August 2016. Compared with 2015, the trend was reversed; 
first sales  decreased 24%  in  value  and  23% in  volume. In 
August  2017,  value  and  volume  increased  significantly 
(+128% and +147%, respectively) over August 2016. 

Weymouth, Portsmouth, Brixham, Plymouth,  and Brighton 
are  the  main  UK  ports,  where  48%  of  first-sales  value  of 
seabass is landed in 2017. 

Figure 3.  EUROPEAN SEABASS: FIRST SALES IN 

THE UK 

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.10.2017). 

In  the  past  three  years,  the  annual  average  first-sales 
prices of seabass were 11,18 EUR/kg in the UK, 13,04 
EUR/kg  in  France,  and  14,99  EUR/kg  in  Portugal. 
Overall,  prices  in  2017  increased  in  France  and 
Portugal, and demonstrated an opposite trend in the UK 
compared with 2016. 

In  France  in  January–August  2017,  the  average  unit 
price  of  seabass  was  14,19  EUR/kg,  exhibiting  an 
increase  over  January–August  2016 
(+3%)  and 
January–August  2015  (+13%).  In  general,  prices  rose 
during  May–September,  peaking 
in  August  2016, 
reaching  21  EUR/kg,  corresponding  to  127  tonnes.  In 

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.10.2017)

We  have  covered  European  seabass  in  previous 
Monthly Highlights: 

First  sales:  France  (9/2016,  6/2015,  June  2013); 
Portugal (2/2014). 

Consumption:  France  (6/2016,  2/2015,  9/2015,  July 
2013);  Italy  (6/2016,  2/2015,  9/2015);  Greece  (6/2016, 
2/2015,  July  2013);  Portugal  (6/2016,  9/2015  2/2015); 
the UK (2/2015). 

5 

0,000,100,200,300,400,500,600,700,800102030405060708090OctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAug2014201520162017ValueVolumeVolume (tonnes)Value (million EUR)0,000,200,400,600,801,001,201,401,60020406080100120140160180OctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAug2014201520162017ValueVolumeVolume (tonnes)Value (million EUR)0,005,0010,0015,0020,0025,00OctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAug2014201520162017EUR/kgFrancePortugalUnited Kingdom 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

1.1.2. 

MUSSEL 

Figure 5.  MUSSEL: FIRST SALES IN DENMARK 

to 

tidal  areas 

Mussel (Mytilus spp) is found 
in  a  wide  variety  of  habitats, 
from 
fully 
submerged  zones.  Mytilus 
edulis and M. galloprovincialis 
are  the  two  species  of  mussel  harvested  in  Europe.  It 
can  withstand  wide  variations  in  salinity,  desiccation, 
temperature,  and  oxygen  concentration,  allowing  it  to 
occupy a large variety of microhabitats. Mussel feeds on 
phytoplankton and organic matter by filtering seawater. 
Specific features of mussel are their high fecundity and 
for  widespread 
a  mobile 
distribution. Mussel shells are all of approximately equal 
size. Shell valves are strong, pointed at the front, wider 
at  the  rear,  and  rounded.  Maximum  mussel  size  is 
approximately  10  cm.  However,  in  low-salinity  and 
brackish water, it is much smaller7.   

larval  phase,  allowing 

Fishing  takes  place  year-round,  with  peaks  in  March–
June  and  September–December.  Mussel 
is  sold 
shelled,  cooked,  and  frozen,  or  as  whole  live.  Most 
mussel is exported frozen or as canned products to the 
rest of Europe. 

Danish blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) is harvested in the 
Limfjord on the east coast of Jutland, the Wadden Sea, 
and the  Isefjord. Here,  mussels form stabilised mussel 
beds  of  interconnected  mussels  and  dead  shells.  A 
small  mussel  fishery  is  also  located  in  the  southern 
Kattegat  and  the  Belt  Sea.  All  mussel  fisheries  in 
Denmark  are  Marine  Stewardship  Council  (MSC) 
certified. In Limfjord, approximately 37 certified vessels 
dredge mussels8.  

In  Italy,  most  mussels  available  on  the  market  come 
from aquaculture, and only a limited amount comes from 
fisheries.  In  Italy,  the  culture  of  mussels  is  well 
developed, and this species represents nearly half of the 
volume of all farmed marine products. Of the two mussel 
species, M.edulis is found on the eastern, Adriatic side 
of Italy and M. galloprovincialis is found on the western, 
Tyrrhenian side. The mussel production comes from 220 
production  sites  or farms,  of which  60%  are  located  in 
southern  Italy  and  Sardinia.  National  production  of 
mussels does not satisfy domestic demand. Therefore, 
mussels  are  also  imported,  mainly  from  Spain  and 
Greece9. 

Portugal does not have a tradition of mussel culture, and 
its  production  has  been  negligible,  with  relatively  low 
commercial demand and value. But in recent years, this 
has changed  with set-up  of  a large  organic farm  in the 
Algarve region, producing mostly for the export markets 
(Spain, France, Germany). 

First-sales  value  of  mussel  in  Denmark  in  January–
August  2017  was  EUR  2,7  million  corresponding  to 
14.127  tonnes.  This  was  a  27%  and  21%  decrease  in 
value  and  volume,  respectively,  from  January–August 
2016.  Compared  with  January–August  2015,  the  first-
sales  value  and  volume  decreased  32%  and  30%, 
respectively.  Both  value  (−48%)  and  volume  (−35%) 
decreased in August 2017 from August 2016. 

Ørodde,  Snaptun,  Jegindø,  and  Kalundborg  are  the 
main ports where 79% of mussel was landed in 2017. 

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.10.2017).  

In Italy in January–August 2017, first sales of mussels 
reached  EUR  0,68  million  and  500  tonnes.  They 
decreased  in  both  value  (−42%)  and  volume  (−47%) 
from January–August 2016. If compared with the same 
period  in  2015,  value  and  volume  decreased  as  well 
(−37% and −38%, respectively). 

Figure 6.  MUSSEL: FIRST SALES IN ITALY 

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.10.2017). 

In  Portugal  in  January–August  2017,  first  sales  of 
mussels  increased  60%  in  value  and  64%  in  volume 
over January–April 2016, reaching EUR 0,24 million and 
605  tonnes.  Compared  with  January–April  2015,  the 
first-sales value  and  volume  maintained the  increasing 
trend. 

The  main  ports  in  Portugal  for  landing  of  captured 
mussels in the period January–August 2017 were Aveiro 
(574  tonnes),  Sesimbra  (20  tonnes),  and  Olhão  (5 
tonnes). 

6 

0,000,200,400,600,801,001,2001.0002.0003.0004.0005.000OctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAug2014201520162017ValueVolumeVolume (tonnes)Value (million EUR)0,00100,00200,00300,00400,00500,00600,00050100150200250300350400450OctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAug2014201520162017ValueVolumeVolume (tonnes)Value (1000 EUR) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

Figure 7.  MUSSEL: FIRST SALES IN PORTUGAL 

In Italy in January–August 2017, the average unit price 
of mussel was 1,35 EUR/kg (+8% over January–August 
2016 and +2% over January–August 2015). Italy had the 
highest  prices  of  mussel in  the period  October–March, 
when  the  supply  of  mussel  usually  decreases.  The 
highest  price  was  reached  in  November  2014  (2,14 
EUR/kg), corresponding to 4 tonnes. 

Figure 8.  MUSSEL: FIRST-SALES PRICE IN 
SELECTED COUNTRIES 

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.10.2017). 

In  the  past  three  years,  first-sales  prices  of  mussel 
ranged  from  around  0,14  EUR/kg  in  Denmark  to  2,24 
EUR/kg in Portugal. On average, the highest prices were 
registered in Italy, 54% higher than in Portugal, or 86% 
higher  than  in  Danmark.  Except  for  Italy,  where  prices 
demonstrated  a  positive  trend,  prices  experienced  a 
decreasing trend in the remaining countries. 

In Denmark in January–August  2017, the  average  unit 
price was 0,19 EUR/kg, an 8% decrease from January–
August 2016. Compared with January–August 2015, the 
price remained negative (−4%). In Denmark, prices were 
highest in July. Catches are usually lower in this period, 
which may contribute to an increase in first-sales prices. 
The  highest  price  was  0,41  EUR/kg  (July  2016), 
corresponding to 151 tonnes. 

In  Portugal,  prices  also  vary  seasonally.  They  were 
highest  after summer, except July and August in 2017, 
when  prices  spiked  at  over  2  EUR/kg.  In  January–
August 2017, the average unit price was 0,39 EUR/kg, 
a decrease from both January–August 2016 (−3%) and 
January–August  2015  (−28%).  The  highest  price  was 
registered in July and August 2017 (both 2,24 EUR/kg), 
corresponding to 4 and 6 tonnes, individually. 

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.10.2017). 

We have covered mussel in previous Monthly Highlights: 

First sales: Denmark (2/2016). 

Case study: Mussel in the EU (5/2017). 

Consumption:  Belgium  (7/2016);  Denmark  (7/2016); 
the  Netherlands 
France  (7/2016,  7/2015,  4/2014); 
(7/2016,  4/2014);  Italy  (7/2016,  7/2015,  4/2014);  Spain 
(7/2016, 7/2015, 4/2014); the UK (4/2014). 

7 

0,0020,0040,0060,0080,00100,00120,00050100150200250300350OctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAug2014201520162017ValueVolumeVolume (tonnes)Value (1000 EUR)0,000,501,001,502,002,50OctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAugOctDecFebAprJunAug2014201520162017EUR/kgDenmarkPortugalItaly 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

2.  Global Supply 

Fisheries  /  Fleet  /  EU:  The  2017  Annual  Economic 
Report  on  the  EU  Fishing  Fleet  from  the  Scientific, 
Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries and the 
European  Commission demonstrates  positive  economic 
trends  for  the  EU  fishing  fleet.  The  EU  fleet  registered 
record-high  net  profits  of  EUR  798  million  in  2015,  and 
estimates  for  2017  point  towards  further  increases  in 
profitability.  The  report  also  reveals  that  economic 
performance  stagnates  where  fleets  depend  on  stocks 
that are overfished or overexploited. Average salaries in 
the EU fleet have also increased, whereas average fuel 
consumption  has  decreased.  Fuel-use  efficiency  has 
improved, with fuel costs amounting to 17% of total costs 
in  2015,  compared  with  24%  in  2008,  largely  because 
fleets tend to operate more efficiently10.  

(NAFO), 

in  Montreal,  Canada, 

Fishing opportunities / Northwest Atlantic / NAFO: At 
the  Northwest  Atlantic  Fisheries 
the  meeting  of 
in 
Organisation 
September 2017, the  EU was instrumental in advancing 
key conservation measures based on the best scientific 
advice available. A key achievement of the meeting was 
the agreement on a new and more modern multi-annual 
management  rule  for  Greenland  halibut.  The  EU  also 
proposed  solutions  for  management  decisions  on  cod 
and redfish in the Flemish Cap. In addition, NAFO agreed 
to  protect  the  entire  New  England  Seamount  chain,  by 
prohibiting  bottom  fishing  on  all  peaks  shallower  than 
2.000  metres.  Regarding  control  and  enforcement,  the 
EU continued to promote compliance of the EU fleet with 
NAFO rules, both at sea and in port11. 

Resources  /  Barents  Sea:  Norway  and  Russia  have 
agreed  new  quotas  in  the  Barents  Sea  for  next  year,  a 
13% reduction in cod catch. The countries will be allowed 
to fish 775.000 tonnes of cod, with Norway receiving the 
largest  share  at  350.159  tonnes  and  Russia  allotted 
331.159 tonnes. Third countries have been given a quota 
of  107.000  tonnes.  The  haddock  quota,  particularly 
important for the UK market, is 202.305 tonnes for both 
countries12. 

identification, 

fishing-vessel  marking  and 

IUU  /  Western  Central  Atlantic:  Thirty-five  fishery 
monitoring,  control,  and  surveillance  officers  from  16 
countries  met  in  Barbados  and  reached  an  expert 
agreement  on the  introduction  of harmonised standards 
for 
the 
establishment  of  a  regional  record  of  authorised  fishing 
vessels, and a regional list of vessels involved in illegal, 
unreported  and  unregulated  (IUU)  fishing  and  related 
activities.  The  Western  Central  Atlantic,  which  includes 
the  Caribbean  Sea,  is  one  of  the  world’s  top  five  most 
overexploited  fishery  areas.  The  measures  would  allow 
authorities  to  identify  fishing  vessels  more  easily  and 
determine  if  they  have  the  necessary  authorisation  to 
fish.  The  meeting  was  supported  by  the  European 
Union’s DG Mare and FAO’s Global Record team13. 

/  Adriatic  Sea 

Fisheries 
/  Sustainability:  The 
"Jabuka/Pomo Pit" has been identified as an Ecologically 
or  Biologically  Significant  Area  (EBSA)  under 
the 
Convention  on  Biological  Diversity.  The  Malta 

MedFish4Ever  Declaration  calls  upon  Mediterranean 
riparian  countries  to  further  develop  fisheries  restricted 
and  marine  protected  area  ensuring  an  effective 
protection  of  at  least 10%  of the  Mediterranean Sea  by 
2020. On the basis of the Italian and Croatian measures 
[Act  of  Special  Regime  in  Management  of  Restricted 
Area  in  the  Jabuka/Pomo  Pit,  Official  Gazette  of  the 
Republic  of  Croatia  No  90/17]14  recently  enacted  in  the 
zone of the Jabuka/Pomo Pit in Adriatic, the EU proposed 
to the GFCM to establish a Fishing Restricted Area (FRA) 
with a view of contributing to the protection of vulnerable 
marine ecosystems and important essential fish habitats 
for demersal stocks such as European hake and Norway 
lobster. The GFCM has adopted this Recommendation in 
its  41st  Annual  Session  (16-20  October)  and  hence 
enacted as FRA the Jabuka/Pomo Pit area covering both 
EU  waters  and  high  seas  that  compose  the  area 
concerned15. 

Supply / Norway: Norway exported 1,8 million tonnes of 
seafood with a value of NOK 69 billion until October 2017, 
a  value  increases  of  6%  and  a  volume  increase  of  3% 
over  the  same  period  in  2016.  In  September,  Norway 
exported 189.000 tonnes of seafood worth NOK 8 billion. 
This is a decrease in volume of 18%, while the value fell 
8%, or NOK 681 million, from September 201616. 

Supply / Slovenia: In Slovenia in 2016, 1.826 tonnes of 
aquatic  organisms  were farmed,  or 14,8% more than  in 
2015.  In  inland  waters,  1.162  tonnes  of  freshwater  fish 
(72% rainbow trout), were farmed, an increase of 21,1% 
over  2015.  In  2016,  664  tonnes  of  marine  animals  or 
5,2% more than in 2015, were farmed. The total value of 
aquaculture  production  in  2016  was  EUR  4,9  million, 
24,8%  greater  than  in  2015.  Inland-water  fish-farming 
generated 85% of the total purchase value of aquaculture 
production17. 

Fisheries / Iceland: The total catch of Icelandic vessels 
was 125.857 tonnes in September 2017, 11% more than 
in September 2016. The increase was caused mainly by 
mackerel (+32%), blue whiting (+8%), as well as shellfish 
species  (+9%).  The  demersal  catch  was  nearly  33.000 
tonnes, a decrease of 8%. The cod catch decreased 4%, 
from 
haddock  catch  5%,  and  saithe  catch  18% 
September 2016. Total catch in the period October 2016–
September  2017  was  1.133 
tonnes,  an 
increase of 6%18. 

thousand 

Trade / EU / Vietnam: In the first  eight months of 2017, 
the  EU  became  the  largest  importer  of  Vietnamese 
shrimp.  During that  period,  Vietnam’s shrimp  exports to 
the  EU  amounted  to  EUR  413,9  million,  an  increase  of 
30%  over  the  same  period  in  2016.  The  top  three  EU 
the  Netherlands,  and 
importing  markets  (the  UK, 
Belgium) reported two-digit growth of 46,5%, 47,8%, and 
34,1%, respectively. As of 2018, when the EU–Vietnam 
Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) takes effect, Vietnam’s 
shrimp  exports  to  the  EU  are  expected  to  continue 
growing thanks to the preferential tax rate19. 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 09/2017 

3. Case studies 

3.1. SWORDFISH IN THE EU MARKET 

Swordfish  is  commercially very  important to several EU 
fleets fishing in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean 
Sea.  EU  fleets  provide  almost  a  third  of  the  world’s 
supply.  Spain  is  by  far  the  largest  producer,  with  more 
than  21.000 tonnes  landed  in 2015.  However, the  main 
market  for  swordfish  in  the  EU  is  Italy,  which    imports 
substantial amounts from Spain and Portugal, as well as 
from Asia. 

3.1.1. Biology 

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is a large, silver pelagic fish 
with a distinctive long bill on its upper jaw. It is found in 
tropical,  temperate,  and  sometimes  cold  waters  of  all 
oceans,  including  the  Mediterranean  and  its  adjacent 
waters. The swordfish is primarily a warm-water species, 
and  generally,  its  migrations  consist  of  movements 
toward temperate  or cold  waters for feeding  in summer 
and  back  to  warm  waters  in  autumn  for  spawning  and 
overwintering. Swordfish can be found in depths of up to 
700 m, where it hunts prey, especially cephalopods and 
fish.  It  can  reach  more  than  4  m  in  length  and  several 
hundred kilograms. Its average length is 1,20–2,50 m. 

3.1.2. Resource, Exploitation, and 
Management in the EU 

Swordfish  is  caught  in  coastal  and  offshore  waters  by 
longline,  trawl,  harpoon,  and  net.  It  is  worth  noting  that 
swordfish  is  not  a  schooling  species,  and  for  its 
exploitation,  gears  such  as  purse-seiners  or  pelagic 
trawlers are excluded. 

The species is available to fisheries mostly between April 
and  December,  with  peaks  during  spring.  Atlantic 
swordfish  stocks  are  managed  by  the  International 
Commission  for  the  Conservation  of  Atlantic  Tunas 
(ICCAT), which sets TACs  and  national  quotas,  as well 
as  minimum 
(125  cm)  and  other 
management  recommendations.  EU  fleets  target  three 
main stocks. 

landing  size 

The  North  Atlantic  stock  has  been  experiencing  an 
increase in its biomass after significant trouble related to 
overfishing 
is  not  considered 
overexploited  anymore.  The  TAC  was  set  at  13.700 
tonnes for 2017, of which 6.718 tonnes are for the EU20. 

the  1990s. 

in 

It 

The South  Atlantic stock is  considered to  be  exploited 
sustainably. The TAC was set at 15.000 tonnes in 2017. 
Of this 4.824 tonnes are for the EU 21.  

the  Mediterranean,  swordfish 

is  considered 
In 
overfished; fishing  effort is  almost twice  what is needed 
to  achieve  maximum  sustainable  yield.  However,  in 
recent  years,  management  measures  have  been 
implemented to reduce capacity and fishing effort for this 
species: reduction of the fleet in Greece, Italy, and Spain, 
fishery closures for several months, limitations on fishing-
gear  size  and  improved  selectivity  to  reduce  juvenile 
catches,  and  improved  control  requirements22.  In  the 
Mediterranean, swordfish is managed by ICCAT through 

a  TAC  of  10.500  tonnes  in  2017,  of  which  7.400  are 
allocated to the EU fleet. In 2017, the EU secured 70% of 
this quota. This measure, as part of the recovery plan for 
Mediterranean  swordfish  approved  by  ICCAT  in  2016, 
will contribute to the early recovery of the Mediterranean 
swordfish, thus securing the livelihoods of fishermen and 
coastal communities that rely on the stock23. 

Other swordfish stocks  important  for fisheries  are found 
in  the  Indian  Ocean,  Southeast  Pacific,  and  Northeast 
Pacific.  They  are  all  considered  to  be  sustainably 
Indian  Ocean  Tuna 
exploited  according 
Inter-American  Tropical  Tuna 
Commission  and 
Commission24. 

the 

the 

to 

Several fisheries targeting swordfish have been certified 
by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), especially in 
the USA, Canada, and Australia. In the EU, the North and 
South Atlantic Spanish longline fishery has been certified 
by MSC since 201525. 

3.1.3.  Production 

CATCHES AND LANDINGS 
According  to  the  FAO,  world  catches  of  swordfish 
amounted to 283.000 tonnes in 2015, up 15% over 2006.  

The leading producer  is the EU, which provided 29% of 
total world production in 2015. Inside the EU, Spain and, 
to  a  lesser  extent,  Italy  and  Portugal  are  the  main 
producers,  with  catches  accounting  for  72%,  12%,  and 
11%, respectively, of total EU swordfish catches. Outside 
the  EU,  other  important  producers  are  Taiwan  (12%), 
Indonesia (12%), and Japan (9%). 

During the past decade (2006–2015), although swordfish 
catches remained stable or decreased slightly in the EU 
(−3%), Taiwan (−9%), and Japan (−7%), other important 
fisheries  have  experienced 
countries 
significant  increases  in  catches,  especially  Indonesia 
(+400%),  Chile  (+92%),  China  (+84%),  and  Sri  Lanka 
(+78%).  

for  swordfish 

The  gap  between  EU  catches  (source:  FAO)  and  EU 
landings (Eurostat) highlights the fact that a share of EU 
swordfish  catches  is  landed  off-EU  by  fleets  operating 
overseas (notably within Sustainable Fishing Partnership 
agreements). 

According to Eurostat, EU swordfish landings amounted 
to  more  than  28.000  tonnes  in  2015,  accounting  for 
approximately 23% of the world swordfish catches. Spain 
and, to a lesser extent, Italy are the major Member States 
for  swordfish  landings,  accounting  for  75%  and  15%, 
respectively,  of  EU  swordfish  landings.  Other  important 
EU  Member  States  for  swordfish  landings  are  France 
(3%), Greece (3%), Portugal (2%), and Malta (2%). From 
2006 to 2015, EU swordfish landings increased 23%, with 
a peak in 2010 at almost 32.000 tonnes. However, among 
major  producers,  catches  have  evolved  differently  over 
the decade: significantly  increasing in Spain (+54%), as 
well  as  in  France,  Portugal,  and  Malta,  and  strongly 
decreasing in Italy (−44%) and Greece (−30%). 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

Table 3.  WORLD CATCHES OF SWORDFISH (volume in tonnes) 

Country 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

EU-28 

36.259 

34.852 

27.099 

34.686 

28.759 

38.315 

33.711 

35.453 

37.941 

35.705 

Taiwan  

16.467 

16.326 

10.590 

12.087 

9.730 

11.027 

14.400 

12.944 

12.922 

15.067 

Indonesia 

3.001 

3.116 

2.952 

2.651 

3.546 

3.753 

6.570 

4.536 

11.950 

14.963 

Japan 

12.809 

14.796 

13.460 

12.372 

12.335 

11.423 

10.518 

10.163 

10.846 

11.900 

Chile 

China 

3.147 

3.741 

2.792 

3.514 

4.363 

4.949 

6.339 

4.852 

5.799 

6.029 

2.977 

3.302 

3.630 

2.672 

2.843 

2.727 

3.297 

3.416 

3.915 

5.466 

Sri Lanka 

2.868 

3.225 

3.193 

3.176 

3.160 

3.675 

3.845 

5.537 

4.365 

5.102 

Other 

Total 

32.011 

30.707 

29.152 

29.285 

28.992 

28.125 

31.539 

31.876 

36.228 

31.795 

109.539 

110.065 

92.868 

100.443 

93.728 

103.994 

110.219 

108.777 

123.966 

126.027 

Source: FAO, Fishstat. 

Table 4. 

LANDING OF SWORDFISH IN THE EU (volume in tonnes) 

Country 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

Spain 

Italy 

14.019 

12.546 

17.107 

22.611 

22.431 

18.351 

19.965 

25.143 

27.088 

21.642 

7.627 

6.518 

4.534 

5.121 

6.274 

5.357 

4.018 

2.862 

3.393 

4.273 

France 

90 

Greece 

1.036 

672 

825 

503 

203 

56 

3 

25 

439 

273 

260 

56 

2 

426 

719 

392 

266 

26 

1 

581 

867 

650 

719 

909 

1.762 

1.854 

1.504 

2.146 

2.082 

361 

424 

32 

2 

465 

532 

35 

13 

570 

503 

35 

10 

845 

460 

52 

12 

645 

377 

57 

18 

848 

728 

687 

489 

46 

26 

329 

239 

39 

1 

Portugal 

Malta 

Cyprus 

Other 

EU-28 

23.380 

21.325 

22.697 

29.561 

31.867 

27.474 

27.255 

32.239 

34.570 

28.737 

Source: EUROSTAT. 

PRESENTATION 
Swordfish  flesh  is  much  appreciated  for  its  taste, 
firmness,  and the  absence  of  bones.  The meat is  grey-
white and has a firm texture. It is sold mainly as steaks or 
loins, fresh or frozen, sometimes skinned. It can also be 
found  as  cold-smoked  slices.  Its  mild,  sweet  flavour  is 
highly  regarded,  and  it  is  consumed  grilled,  broiled, 
baked, or poached, and even raw as carpaccio in Italy. 

Trade 

EU TRADE 
In 2016, the EU had a swordfish trade deficit of EUR 118 
million. The deficit is attributable mainly to the imports of 
frozen swordfish. Extra-EU imports of fresh swordfish are 
relatively limited (23% of total extra-EU imports).  

For  frozen  swordfish,  the  main  extra-EU  suppliers  are 
Vietnam  (3.028  tonnes  in  2016),  China  (3.019  tonnes), 
Indonesia (3.023 tonnes), and to a lesser extent Ecuador 
(1.897  tonnes).  For  fresh  swordfish,  the  main  extra-EU 
suppliers  are  Morocco  (approximately  1.100  tonnes  in 
2016), Chile (1.130 tonnes), and India (581 tonnes).  

Intra-EU trade is active for each preservation state. Spain 
and Portugal are the main suppliers of fresh and frozen 
swordfish.  In  2016,  Spain  and  Portugal  accounted  for 
74% and 94%, respectively, of intra-EU fresh and frozen 
swordfish exports. The main destinations were Italy (69% 
and  47%,  respectively,  of  fresh  and  frozen  intra-EU 
swordfish 
(12%  and  36%, 
respectively). 

imports)  and  Spain 

Extra-EU  exports  are  limited  (509  tonnes  in  2016,  of 
which 86% were frozen products); they were sent mainly 
to  Turkey  and  the  USA  as  frozen  products  and  Hong 
Kong and Switzerland as fresh products.  

Italy is by far the main market for swordfish in the EU, with 
more than 22.000 tonnes of swordfish products imported 
in  2016  for  a  value  of  more  than  EUR  150  million 
(whereas  exports  reached  only  410  tonnes).  The  main 
source countries were Spain and Portugal. According to 
the  Institute  for  Agricultural  and  Food  Market  Services 
(ISMEA), swordfish was the fifth most-consumed species 
in Italy in 2015, accounting for 3% and 5,5%, respectively, 
of  volume  and  value  of  fish  and  seafood  household 
purchases (fresh or thawed).

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

Figure 9.  THE EU SWORDFISH TRADE MARKET IN 2016 

Figure 11.  VOLUME AND PRICE OF FRESH 

SWORDFISH LANDED IN ITALY (volume in 
tonnes, price in EUR/kg) 

Source: EUMOFA, based on COMEXT. 

3.1.5. Supply Trends and Prices  

In Spain, the  leading swordfish producer  in  the EU, the 
dependence  of  first-sales  prices  on  the  evolution  of 
landing volume was not obvious during the period 2010–
2015:  a  significant  drop  in  landings  in  2012  and  2013 
(−33%  between  2011  and  2013).  First-sales  prices, 
however,  remained  stable  between  2011  and  2012, 
experienced  a  decreasing  trend  from  2012  to  2014 
(−18%),  and  rebounded  in  2015  (+10%),  while  landing 
volume also increased (+54%). 

Figure 10.  VOLUME AND PRICE OF FRESH 

SWORDFISH LANDED IN SPAIN (volume in 
tonnes, price in EUR/kg) 

Source: EUROSTAT.  

In Italy, landing volume of swordfish experienced a strong 
decreasing  trend  from  2010  to  2013  (−54%).  Landings 
subsequently  rebounded  in  2014  and  2015  to  reach 
3.393  tonnes.  In  the  meantime,  the  first-sales  price 
remained  stable  in  2011  and  2012,  then  decreased  in 
2013  and  2014  (−17%  in  total)  and  stabilised,  reaching 
9,23 EUR/kg, in 2015. 

Source: EUROSTAT. 

In  France,  from  2010  to  2015,  first-sales  prices  have 
fluctuated, with a significant increase from 2010 to 2011 
(+54%), a drop in 2012 (−25%), and an increase in 2013 
and  2014  (+40%  in  total).  In  2015,  landings  decreased 
slightly (−7%) to 848 tonnes. In the meantime, first-sales 
prices  decreased  between  2010  and  2013  (−23%)  and 
then remained relatively stable until 2015, reaching 6,12 
EUR/kg. 

11 

0,001,002,003,004,005,006,007,0001.0002.0003.0004.0005.0006.000201020112012201320142015VOLUME (tonnes)PRICE (EUR/kg)0,002,004,006,008,0010,0012,0001.0002.0003.0004.0005.0006.0007.000201020112012201320142015VOLUME (tonnes)PRICE (EUR/kg)INTRA-EU TRADEEU MARKETFresh(EUR 102 million)Main origin:  Spain63%, Portugal11%Frozen(EUR 167 million)Main origin:  Portugal50%, Spain44%Morocco 34%, Chile29%, India 16%Vietnam17%, China16%, Indonesia 15%Hong Kong33%, Switzerland22%, Korea 14%,USA 10%Turkey38%, USA34%Main destinations: Italyand Spain 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

Figure 12.  VOLUME AND PRICE OF FRESH 

SWORDFISH LANDED IN FRANCE (volume 
in tonnes, price in EUR/kg) 

However,  looking  at  average  monthly  first-sales  data, 
important  fluctuations  are  noticeable  in  landing  volume 
and prices, and a seasonal pattern is clear. 

In Spain, the leading producer of swordfish in the EU, two 
peaks for swordfish landings are evident: one in summer 
(July–August–September)  and  one 
in  November–
December. From January to June, landings are relatively 
small.  As  a  consequence,  first-sales  prices  follow  the 
opposite trend with high prices in winter and spring (e.g. 
more than 10,00 EUR/kg in April 2015), whereas prices 
were  lower  in  summer  and  autumn  (between  6,00 
EUR/kg and 7,00 EUR/kg in 2015 and 2016). 

Source: EUROSTAT.  

Figure 13.  SEASONALITY OF FIRST-SALE VOLUME AND FIRST-SALE PRICES OF FRESH SWORDFISH IN SPAIN 

(volume in tonnes, price in EUR/kg)  

Source: EUMOFA.

12 

0,001,002,003,004,005,006,007,008,009,0001002003004005006007008009001.000201020112012201320142015VOLUME (tonnes)PRICE (EUR/kg)0,002,004,006,008,0010,0012,000100200300400500600700Volume (tonnes)Price (EUR/kg) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

3.2.  SEABASS AND SEABREAM 

IN GREECE 

Seabass  and  seabream  are  a  well-known  and  popular 
marine seafood species in the Mediterranean. Greece is 
the largest aquaculture producer in Europe, by value and 
volume  (excluding  Turkey),  mainly  producing  European 
seabass and gilthead seabream. However, in addition to 
seabass  and  seabream,  other  commercially  significant 
marine species are also caught in the Mediterranean and 
Atlantic regions. 

EUROPEAN SEABASS 
Among the different seabass species, European seabass 
(Dicentrarchus labrax) is the main species farmed in the 
Mediterranean  and  the  only  seabass  farmed  by  Greek 
aquaculture.  European  seabass  is  commonly  found 
throughout  the  Mediterranean  and  Black  seas  and  the 
Northeastern  Atlantic,  from  Norway  to  Senegal,  and 
normally  along  the  coast  and  in  brackish  waters26. 
European  seabass  has  been  reared  using  extensive 
methods,  such  as  closed  lagoons,  for  a  long  time. 
However,  in  the  1960s,  intensive  methods  for  rearing 
were  developed  using  complex  hatchery  techniques. 
Currently, most farmed European seabass are produced 
in floating sea cages, with a few land-based farms. The 
fish is normally harvested after one and a half years and 
up to two years in size categories below 1 kg27. 

GILTHEAD SEABREAM 
Gilthead  seabream  (Sparus  aurata)  is  the  main  farmed 
seabream species in both the Mediterranean region and 

Greece,  and  also  a  significant  species  for  marine 
fisheries.  The  number  of  different  seabream  species 
caught  in marine  waters is  larger than for seabass, and 
gilthead  seabream  is  commonly  found  in  the  entire 
Mediterranean  and  Eastern Atlantic, from the  UK to the 
Canary Islands28. It lives along the coast and in brackish 
waters, and has traditionally been farmed extensively in 
lagoons  and  ponds.  In  the  1980s,  hatchery  techniques 
were  developed  for  gilthead  seabream.  It  is  normally 
reared in sea cages, but some land-based systems can 
be 
is  normally  harvested  after 
approximately  16  months  in  the  sea,  and,  as  with 
European seabass, in small size categories below 1 kg29. 

found.  The 

fish 

3.2.1. Historical development 

According  to  FAO  figures  for  fisheries  and  aquaculture 
from  1980  to  2015,  aquaculture  volumes  (tonnes)  of 
European seabass and gilthead seabream in Europe (the 
Atlantic and Mediterranean and Black sea areas), started 
to  increase  in  1990,  and  since  then  have  represented 
most of these two species supplied to market (Figure 14). 
Fisheries  for  seabass  and  seabream  represent  23%  of 
the total value for the EU, and 6% for Greece, calculated 
for the 5-year period, 2010–201530.  
The  value  of  fisheries  for  the  main  farmed  species  in 
Greece  is  low,  and  it  has  been  declining  for  “other 
seabream”  (other  than  aquaculture)  that  are  normally 
caught wild in Greece (Figure 17).     

Figure 14.  EUROPEAN SEABASS AND GILTHEAD SEABREAM IN EUROPE (INCLUDING NON-EU COUNTRIES) BY 

ORIGIN  

Source:  FAO. 

3.2.2. Production 
Overall,  the  total  aquaculture  production  of  European 
seabass  and  gilthead  seabream  in  the  Mediterranean 
has  been  increasing  since  2000  (Figure  15  and  16)31. 
However,  the sector  is known for cyclic ups-and-downs 
or  booms-and-busts,  i.e.  rapid  increases  in  supply 
overriding  the  demand  and  causing  a  significant  price 
drop  (collapse).  Also,  other  sectors,  such  as  salmon 
aquaculture,  regularly  experience  boom-and-bust  but 

with the difference that earnings have not dropped below 
break-even since 200032. Greece is the largest producer 
in the EU (44.000 tonnes of seabass and 56.000 tonnes 
of  seabream  in  2016)  and  Turkey  is  the  main  EU 
producer  outside the EU market  and the main  extra-EU 
exporter to – and competitor in – the EU market (52.000 
tonnes  of  seabass  and  50.000  tonnes  of  seabream  in 
2016).  Since  the  harvest  reached  its  highest  level  in 
2010,  Greek  production,  on  average,  decreased  until 
2016,  and  EU  production  has  remained  relatively  flat. 

13 

0204060801001201401601981198319851987198919911993199519971999200120032005200720092011201320151000 tonnesEuropean seabass, aquacultureEuropean seabass, fisheries0204060801001201401601981198319851987198919911993199519971999200120032005200720092011201320151000 tonnesGilthead seabream, aquacultureGilthead seabream, fisheries 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

Turkey,  on  the  other  hand,  increased  their  production, 
especially of gilthead seabream. At the moment, Turkey 
is at the same level as Greece – or beyond, with respect 

to  total  harvest  volumes  for  European  seabass  and 
gilthead seabream33. 

Table 5.  MAIN PRODUCERS OF EUROPEAN SEABASS FROM AQUACULTURE (volume in 1000 tonnes) 

Country 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 E 

2018 E 

Turkey 

Greece 

Spain 

Italy 

France 

Croatia 

Cyprus 

Portugal 

Others 

Total 

50 

47 

16 

9 

4 

3 

2 

2 

11 

144 

Source:  Kontali Analyse. 

46 

49 

10 

9 

2 

4 

2 

1 

13 

136 

52 

50 

10 

8 

2 

4 

2 

1 

13 

142 

50 

46 

12 

8 

2 

4 

2 

1 

16 

141 

52 

44 

14 

9 

2 

5 

2 

1 

15 

144 

60 

48 

15 

10 

2 

5 

2 

1 

16 

159 

65 

50 

15 

11 

2 

5 

2 

1 

16 

167 

Table 6.  MAIN PRODUCERS OF GILHEAD SEABREAM FROM AQUACULTURE (volume in 1000 tonnes) 

Country 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 E 

2018 E 

Greece 

Turkey 

Spain 

Italy 

Croatia 

Cyprus 

France 

Portugal 

Others 

Total 

74 

40 

20 

10 

2 

3 

2 

1 

26 

178 

Source:  Kontali Analyse.

75 

48 

17 

9 

3 

4 

2 

1 

26 

185 

73 

48 

17 

9 

4 

4 

2 

2 

25 

184 

63 

42 

17 

9 

5 

4 

2 

2 

25 

169 

56 

50 

19 

9 

5 

4 

2 

2 

25 

172 

64 

59 

21 

10 

5 

4 

2 

2 

25 

192 

67 

67 

22 

11 

5 

4 

2 

2 

25 

205 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

Figure 15.  HARVEST  ESTIMATES  FOR  EUROPEAN 
SEABASS  FOR  GREECE,  OTHER  EU 
PRODUCING COUNTRIES AND TURKEY  

Source: Kontali Analyse AS. 

Figure 16.  HARVEST  ESTIMATES  FOR  GILTHEAD 
SEABREAM  FOR  GREECE,  OTHER  EU 
PRODUCING COUNTRIES AND TURKEY  

3.2.3. Market 

Despite  the  difference  in  supply  (accessible  volumes), 
aquaculture is facing competition from the same or similar 
wild species. Based on price information from Greece, it 
was observed that wild-caught fish achieve higher prices 
(Figure  18)34.  However,  prices  remained  more  similar 
over the period 2010–2015. 

Monthly Greek export prices35 for European seabass and 
gilthead  seabream  are  fluctuating  significantly  (Figure 
19),  and  when  looking  at  value  (volume  ×  price;  Figure 
20), we observe a clear seasonality for trade, associated 
with both large volumes and high prices during summer 
and the Christmas holidays. The strong drop in prices is 
related  to  the  aforementioned  boom-and-bust  cycles. 
Supply  (production)  is  growing  rapidly  and  prices  are 
developing positively – at least in the short run – leading 
to supply exceeding demand, as observed from 2013 to 
2014.  Nevertheless,  prices  increased  on  average  17% 
and 20% for  seabass  and seabream, respectively, from 
2010 to summer 2017 (assuming  a  linear trend), i.e. 2–
3% per year. In contrast, the price of Atlantic salmon has 
increased 100% over the same period. This was mainly 
caused  by  a  significant  increase  in  demand  in  several 
global  markets  (i.e.  sushi)  during  the  respective  period 
compared to seabass and seabream 36. 

In good  periods, the price  of  gilthead seabream follows 
European  seabass.  If  not,  prices  of  European  seabass 
tend to achieve a higher price per kilogram and gilthead 
seabream  prices  decrease  rapidly.  As  for  the  last  price 
drop  in  2016  and  2017,  the  more  significant  drop  for 
gilthead seabream is likely associated with a more rapid 
growth  in  supplied  (harvested)  volumes  for  gilthead 
seabream compared with European seabass. 

Figure 17.  WILD  CATCH  OF  SELECTED  SPECIES  IN 

GREECE  

Source: Kontali Analyse AS.

Source: EUMOFA. 

15 

152025303540201020112012201320142015Million EURGilthead seabreamEuropean seabassOther seabreams0501001502002501000 tonnesTurkeyOther Med(EU)Greece0501001502002501000 tonnesTurkeyOther Med(EU)Greece 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

Figure 18.  FIRST-SALES PRICE DEVELOPMENT IN GREECE FOR FARMED AND WILD EUROPEAN SEABASS AND 

GILTHEAD SEABREAM 

Source: EUMOFA. 

faces  strong  competition 

European  seafood 
from 
imports37,  and  so  does  the  seabass  and  seabream 
farming  sector,  which  experience  strong  competition  in 
both  volume  (market  share)  and  price,  from  the  fast-
growing  seabass  and  seabream  sector  of  Turkey.  
When  comparing  export  prices  of  the  two  countries,  a 
historically  significant 
level  for  Turkish 
European  seabass  and  gilthead  seabream  is  apparent. 
However, the tendency  is for the  difference to  diminish, 
especially for European seabass.     

lower  price 

Figure 20.  EXPORT VALUE OF FRESH WHOLE 

EUROPEAN SEABASS AND GILTHEAD 
SEABREAM IN GREECE 

Figure 19.  EXPORT PRICES OF FRESH WHOLE 

EUROPEAN SEABASS AND GILTHEAD 
SEABREAM IN GREECE 

Source: EUMOFA. 

Source: EUMOFA. 

16 

4,004,505,005,506,006,50201020112012201320142015EUR/KgEuropean seabass, wildEuropean seabass, aquaculture4,004,505,005,506,006,50201020112012201320142015EUR/kgGilthead seabream, wildGilthead seabream, aquaculture01020304050607080901001000 EUREuropean seabassGilthead seabream2,53,03,54,04,55,05,56,06,5EUR/kgEuropean seabassGilthead seabream 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

Figure 21.  ANNUAL EXPORT PRICE OF FRESH WHOLE 
IN  GREECE  AND 

EUROPEAN  SEABASS 
TURKEY 

Figure 23.  VOLUME  OF  FRESH  WHOLE  EUROPEAN 
SEABASS  EXPORTED  TO  TRADITIONAL 
MARKETS  (ITALY,  SPAIN)  AND  EMERGING 
MARKETS (GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, 
THE UK) 

Source: Eurostat and TurkStat. 

Figure 22.  ANNUAL EXPORT PRICE OF FRESH WHOLE 
GILTHEAD  SEABREAM  IN  GREECE  AND 
TURKEY 

Source: EUMOFA. 

Figure 24.  VOLUME  OF  FRESH  WHOLE  GILTHEAD 
SEABREAM  EXPORTED  TO  TRADITIONAL 
MARKETS  (ITALY,  SPAIN)  AND  EMERGING 
MARKETS (GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, 
THE UK) 

Source: Eurostat and TurkStat. 

Increased imports  entering Europe, mainly from Turkey, 
are routed to both the traditional seabass and seabream 
markets  represented  by  Italy  and  Spain  and  to  more 
recently developing markets, e.g. the UK, Germany, and 
the  Netherlands  (the  last  serving  largely  as  a  hub  for 
further  distribution  throughout  Europe).  However,  we 
observe  that,  in  contrast  with  the  traditional  markets, 
imported  volume  of  European  seabass  and  gilthead 
seabream  accounts  for  a  large  share  of  the  EU  market 
and  is  becoming  the  dominant  market  player  in  the 
emerging  markets,  compared  with  the  main  intra-EU 
exporters, e.g. Greece.  

Source: EUMOFA. 

3.2.4. Sector structure 

The  Greek  seabass  and  seabream  sector  has 
consolidated  considerably,  shrinking  from  190  to  80 
companies and from 230 to 330 locations between 1997 
and  201038.  The  consolidation  has  continued  and  will 
likely strengthen starting in 2018, as a result of the banks 
selling  out  of the  largest  Greek seabass  and seabream 
farming companies. 

Even  before  these  sales,  the  Greek  seabass  and 
seabream sector  is significantly more consolidated than 
the  Norwegian  salmon  sector,  with  which  it  is  often 
compared.  In  Norway,  80%  of  the  production  includes 
more than 20 companies of the largest producers39, while 
for  Greece  this  number  is  currently  three.  After  the 
ongoing process it might well be less 40.

17 

2,02,53,03,54,04,55,05,56,0EUR/KgGreeceTurkey2,02,53,03,54,04,55,05,56,0EUR/KgGreeceTurkey01020304050601000 tonnesTurkeyGreece05101520251000 tonnesTurkeyGreece 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

4.  Consumption 

HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION IN THE EU 

In  July  2017,  the  consumption  of  fresh  fisheries  and 
aquaculture  products increased  over July  2016  in  both 
volume  and  value  in  Hungary  (+24%  and  +80%, 
respectively), Ireland (+16% and +13%), and Italy (+1% 
and  +2%).  Decreases  in  consumption  in  both  volume 
and  value  were  observed  in  Denmark  (−5%  and  −8%, 
respectively), Germany (−9% and −4%), Poland (−12% 
and  −11%),  and  Portugal  (−7%  and  −2%).  In  the 
Netherlands,  Sweden  and  the  UK,  volume  increased 
and value decreased. In France volume decreased and 

value  remained  unchanged.  In  Spain,  value  increased 
and volume remained unchanged. 
The  largest  increase  in  volume  and value  in July  2017 
was observed in Hungary (+24% in volume and +80% in 
value), while the largest drop was registered in Poland. 

Compared  with June  2017,  among the Member States 
surveyed, the highest decrease in value was registered 
in  Italy  (−32%),  followed  by  the  UK  (−22%).  Volume 
increased  in Hungary from  193 to  324 tonnes (+68%), 
followed by Denmark (+17%).

Table 7. 

JULY OVERVIEW OF THE REPORTING COUNTRIES (volume in tonnes and value in million EUR) 

Country 

Denmark 

Germany 

France 

Hungary 

Ireland 

Italy 

Netherlands 

Poland 

Portugal 

Spain 

Sweden 

UK 

Per capita 
consumption 
2014* 
(live weight 
equivalent) 
kg/capita/year 

22,1 

13,3 

34,4 

4,6 

23,0 

28,9 

22,6 

13,0 

55,3 

46,2 

33,2 

24,9 

July 2015 

July 2016 

June 2017 

July 2017 

Change from 
July 2016 to 
July 2017 

Volume 

Value 

Volume  

Value 

Volume  

Value 

Volume 

 Value 

Volume 

Value 

764 

11,12 

691 

10,96 

560 

8,71 

653 

10,07 

4.625 

67,42 

4.986 

74,33 

4.929 

74,33 

4.534 

71,57 

16.458 

164,83 

17.023 

179,73 

15.906 

182,86 

16.582 

180,12 

272 

1,38 

262 

1,07 

193 

1,12 

324 

1,93 

993 

13,56 

964 

13,78 

1.260 

18,04 

1.120 

15,61 

24.901 

194,38 

22.519 

181,49 

32.491 

273,01 

22.757 

185,15 

2.092 

26,40 

2.181 

26,48 

1.987 

32,65 

2.229 

25,87 

3.326 

19,15 

3.165 

17,79 

2.879 

17,15 

2.783 

15,91 

5% 

9% 

3% 

24% 

16% 

1% 

       0% 
2% 

12% 

8% 

4% 

0% 

80% 

 0% 
13% 

2% 

2% 

11% 

6.590 

36,14 

5.792 

35,64 

4.688 

29,48 

5.394 

34,90 

7% 

2% 

54.339 

391,07 

51.763 

380,04 

50.730 

379,48 

51.591 

393,92 

     0% 

700 

10,80 

584 

10,34 

890 

11,43 

604 

10,21 

22.167 

277,33 

22.028 

232,29 

28.545 

302,16 

22.773 

235,19 

3% 

    0% 
3% 

Source: EUMOFA, based on Europanel (updated 17.10.2017). 
* Data on per capita consumption of all fish and seafood products for all EU Member States can be found at: 
http://www.eumofa.eu/documents/20178/77960/The+EU+fish+market+-+2016+Edition.pdf 

the  July  consumption  of 

Generally, 
fisheries  and 
aquaculture  products  followed  an  increasing  trend  in 
both volume and value in France, Hungary, and Ireland. 
Denmark,  Italy,  Poland,  Portugal,  and  Sweden  saw  a 
decreasing trend in both volume and value. In Germany 
and  Spain,  volume  fell  and  value  increased.  The 
opposite was observed in the Netherlands and the  UK, 
where volume increased and value decreased. 

Portugal (both  +11%).  A similar  trend  was  observed  in 
value.  Value  was  below  the  annual  average  in  most 
Member  States.  However,  in  Portugal  (+22%)  and 
Ireland  (+16%),  value  was  above  the  annual  average. 
Germany was the only Member State to register a stable 
annual  average.  Poland  registered  the  lowest  volume 
and value below the annual average (−45% and −35%, 
respectively). 

in 

the  past 

the  household 
In  July, 
consumption in volume of fresh fish products was below 
the  annual  average  in  most  Member  States  analysed, 
except  for  Ireland  (+14%)  and  the  Netherlands  and 

three  years, 

The  most  recent  consumption  data  available  on 
EUMOFA for August 2017 can be accessed here.  

4% 

1% 
0% 

1% 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

4.1. FRESH HADDOCK 

Image supplied by Seafish: www.seafish.org 

Habitat: A demersal whitefish species. 
Catch area: The Northeast and Northwest Atlantic, from 
the east from the Celtic Sea to Spitsbergen, the Barents 
Sea, and around Iceland41.  
Main  producing  countries 
Iceland, the UK, France42. 
Production method: Caught.  
Main consumers in the EU: The UK, the Netherlands, 
Denmark, and Sweden. 
Presentation: Whole or filleted. 
Preservation: Fresh, chilled, frozen, and smoked. 
Ways of preparation:  Fried,  baked, cold  preparations 
(carpaccio, salad, etc). 

in  Europe:  Norway, 

We have covered haddock in previous Monthly Highlights: 

First  sales:  Denmark  (October  2013),  Norway  (8/2015), 
Sweden (4/2014), the UK (5/2016, April 2013).  

Case study: Haddock in the EU (7/2017), Haddock in the UK 
(5/2015, April 2013). 

Consumption:  Sweden  (October  2013),  the  UK  (October 
2013). 

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION IN IRELAND, SWEDEN AND THE UK 

Among  Ireland,  Sweden,  and  the  UK,  the  per  capita 
consumption  of  fish  and  seafood  products  was  the 
highest in Sweden. The country registered 33,2 kg per 
capita  consumption  in  2014,  30%  higher  than  the  EU 
average (25,5 kg). It was 33% higher  than the  UK  and 
44%  higher  than  Ireland.  Both  Ireland  and  the  UK 
the  EU 
registered  per  capita  consumption  below 
average (−2%  and −10%, respectively).  In the UK, the 
per capita consumption was 24,9 kg, 8% higher than in 
Ireland  (23  kg).  See  more  on  the  EU  per  capita 
consumption in Table 7. 

Figure 25.  RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH HADDOCK 

Retail prices of fresh haddock fluctuated the most during 
the  period  January  2014–July  2017  in  Ireland  and 
Sweden.  In  the  UK,  prices  remained  relatively  stable. 
Volume  also  saw  considerable  monthly  variations. 
Volumes sold of haddock were significantly higher in the 
UK than in Ireland and Sweden. In the UK, haddock is 
among  the  fourth  most  consumed  species  after  cod, 
salmon, and pollock43.  

.

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.10.2017). 

19 

0,002,004,006,008,0010,0012,0014,0016,0018,00JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulyAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul2014201520162017EUR/kgIrelandSwedenUK 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

Figure 26.  VOLUME SOLD OF FRESH HADDOCK 

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.10.2017). 

CONSUMPTION TREND IN IRELAND 

trend, 

January 

2014–July 

Long-term 
decreasing in price and increasing in volume. 
Average  price:  10,96  EUR/kg  (2014),  10,70  EUR/kg 
(2015), 10,75 EUR/kg (2016). 
Total  consumed  volume:  499  tonnes  (2014),  460 
tonnes (2015), 572 tonnes (2016). 

2017: 

Short-term trend, January–July 2017: stable  in price 
and decreasing in volume. 
Average price: 10,31 EUR/kg. 
Total consumed volume: 343 tonnes. 

Figure 27.  RETAIL PRICE AND VOLUME SOLD OF FRESH HADDOCK IN IRELAND 

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.10.2017). 

CONSUMPTION TREND IN SWEDEN 

Long-term trend, January 2014–July 2017: increasing 
in both price and volume. 
Average  price:  13,52  EUR/kg  (2014),11,85  EUR/kg 
(2015), 13,30 EUR/kg (2016). 
Total  consumed  volume:  138  tonnes  (2014),  167 
tonnes (2015), 176 tonnes (2016). 

Short-term  trend,  January–July  2017:  increasing  in 
value and decreasing in volume. 
Average price: 14,47 EUR/kg. 
Total consumed volume: 132 tonnes. 

20 

0,003,006,009,0012,0015,0018,00020406080100120JanMarMayJulSepNovJanMarMayJulSepNovJanMarMayJulSepNovJanMarMayJul2014201520162017PriceVolumeVolume (tonnes)Price (EUR/kg)Since the beginning of 2017, the highest price registered was 10,78 EUR/kg in April 2017. It was 14% lower than September 2014 when the highest price for the period was registered (12,47 EUR/kg).In January–July 2017, volume sold remained  stable compared with the same period a year previously (343 tonnes). Volume was 23% greater that January–July 2015. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

Figure 28.  RETAIL PRICE AND VOLUME SOLD OF FRESH HADDOCK IN SWEDEN 

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.10.2017). 

CONSUMPTION TREND IN THE UK 

trend, 

January 

2014–July 

Long-term 
decreasing in price and increasing in volume. 
Average  price:  10,79  EUR/kg  (2014),12,05  EUR/kg 
(2015), 10,60 EUR/kg (2016). 
Total  consumed  volume:  26.950  tonnes  (2014), 
26.785 tonnes (2015), 29.559 tonnes (2016). 

2017: 

Short-term  trend,  January–July  2017:  decreasing  in 
both price and volume. 
Average price: 10,14 EUR/kg. 
Total consumed volume: 18.518 tonnes. 

Figure 29.  RETAIL PRICE AND VOLUME OF FRESH HADDOCK IN THE UK   

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.10.2017). 

21 

0,005,0010,0015,0020,0025,0030,0001020304050JanMarMayJulSepNovJanMarMayJulSepNovJanMarMayJulSepNovJanMarMayJul2014201520162017PriceVolumeVolume (tonnes)Price (EUR/kg)In July 2017, prices reached 17,54 EUR/kg, increases of 24% and 21% over the previous month and the same month a year ago, respectively. It was the highest price registered during the period analysed. In 2016, volume sold was, on average, 5% greater than 2015 and 27% greater than 2014. The greatest volume registred was 35 tonnes in January 2014.0,004,008,0012,0016,0020,0001.0002.0003.0004.0005.000JanMarMayJulSepNovJanMarMayJulSepNovJanMarMayJulSepNovJanMarMayJul2014201520162017PriceVolumeVolume (tonnes)Price (EUR/kg)January–July 2017,the average price reached 10,14 EUR/kg, 8% and 16% lower than the same period in 2016 and 2015, respectively. The lowest price registeredsince the beginning of 2017 was 9,70 EUR/kg in July.In the past three years, volumes sold were greatest in March. The greatest volume was registered in March 2017 (3.182 tonnes), 6% and 2% greater than March 2016 and March 2014.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

5.  Macroeconomic context

5.1.  MARINE FUEL 

5.2. 

FOOD AND FISH PRICES 

Figure 30.  AVERAGE PRICE OF MARINE DIESEL IN 

ITALY, FRANCE, SPAIN, AND THE UK 
(EUR/LITRE) 

Source:  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Forlì-Cesena,  Italy;  DPMA, 
France; Spain; ARVI (January 2013–March 2015); MABUX (October 
2015–October 2017). 

In  October  2017,  the  fuel  price  in  the  French  ports  of 
Lorient and Boulogne was 0,42 EUR/litre and increased 
2%  compared  with  September  2017.  Compared  with 
October 2016, it was 5% lower. 

In the Italian ports of Ancona and Livorno, the average 
price of marine fuel in October 2017 was 0,43 EUR/litre. 
It increased 2% over the previous month, but decreased 
2% from October 2016. 

The  price  of  marine  fuel  in  the  ports  of  A  Coruña  and 
Vigo,  Spain  reached  an  average  of  0,42  EUR/litre  in 
October 2017, and remained unchanged compared with 
September 2017 and October 2016. 

The fuel price observed in the UK ports of Grimsby and 
Aberdeen was 0,40 EUR/litre and increased 3% over the 
previous month. Compared with the same month a year 
ago, the fuel price decreased 5%. 

In  September  2017,  annual  EU  inflation  was  1,8%,  up 
from 1,7% in August 2017. A year earlier, the rate was 
0,4%. In September 2017, the lowest annual rates were 
recorded  in  Cyprus  (+0,1%),  Ireland  (+0,2%),  and 
Finland  (+0,8%),  while  the  highest  annual  rates  were 
registered  in  Lithuania  (+4,6%),  Estonia  (+3,9%),  and 
Latvia (+3,0%). 

Compared with August 2017, annual inflation rose in 11 
Member  States,  remained  stable  in  seven  (Belgium, 
Germany,  Lithuania,  Malta,  Slovenia,  Finland  and 
Sweden), and fell in nine (Estonia, Ireland, Spain, Italy, 
Cyprus,  Latvia,  Luxembourg,  Hungary  and 
the 
Netherlands). Data for the UK was not available. 

In  September  2017,  prices  of  food  and  non-alcoholic 
beverages  increased  0,2%,  while  prices  of  fish  and 
seafood decreased 0,4%, compared with August 2017. 

increased  2,2%  and  3,9%, 

Compared  with  September  2016,  both  food  and  fish 
prices 
respectively. 
Compared  with  September  2015,  fish  and  seafood 
prices  increased  6,8%,  while  food  and  non-alcoholic 
beverages increased 2,3%. 

Table 8. 

HARMONISED INDEX OF CONSUMER 
PRICES IN THE EU (2015 = 100) 

Sep 
2015 

Sep 
2016 

Aug 
2017 

Sep 
2017 

99,75 

99,85 

101,88 

102,06 

100,49 

103,24 

107,68 

107,30 

HICP 

Food and non–
alcoholic 
beverages 

Fish and 
seafood 

Source: Eurostat. 

the 

dollar 

(−1,4%) 

5.3.  EXCHANGE RATES 
In October 2017, the euro depreciated both against the 
US 
and 
(−0,6%), and appreciated against the  Norwegian krone 
(+1,2%) from September 2017. For the past six months, 
the  euro  has  fluctuated  around  1,16  against  the  US 
dollar. Compared with a year earlier (October 2017), the 
euro  has  appreciated  5,4%  against  the  Norwegian 
krone,  14,8%  against  the  Japanese  yen,  and  6,3% 
against the US dollar. 

Japanese 

yen   

Table 9. 

THE EURO EXCHANGE RATES AGAINST 
THREE SELECTED CURRENCIES  

Currency 

Oct 
2015 

Oct 
2016 

Sep 
2017 

Oct 
2017 

NOK 

JPY 

USD 

9,3930 

9,0345 

9,4125 

9,5238 

132,88 

114,97 

132,82 

132,00 

1,1017 

1,0946 

1,1806 

1,1638 

Source: European Central Bank. 

22 

0,250,350,450,550,650,75Oct-14Dec-14Feb-15Apr-15Jun-15Aug-15Oct-15Dec-15Feb-16Apr-16Jun-16Aug-16Oct-16Dec-16Feb-17Apr-17Jun-17Aug-17Oct-17ItalyFranceSpainUK 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

Figure 31.  TREND OF EURO EXCHANGE RATES 

Source: European Central Bank.

5.4.  EUROPEAN UNION ECONOMIC 

OVERVIEW 

During  the  third  quarter  of  2017,  seasonally  adjusted 
GDP  rate  increased  0,6%  compared  with  the  previous 
quarter. In the second quarter of 2017, GDP has grown 
by  0,7%.  Compared  with  the  same  quarter  of  the 
previous  year,  seasonally  adjusted  GDP  rose  2,5%  in 
the  third  quarter  of  2017,  after  +2,4%  in  the  previous 
quarter44. 

In  the  second  quarter  of  2017,  the  GDP  growth  rate 
increase  0,9%  in  both  Cyprus,  Hungary  and  Spain 
compared with the first quarter of 2017. Compared with 
the same quarter of the previous year, it increased 3,1% 
in  Spain  and  3,5%  in  both  Cyprus  and  Hungary.  In 
Croatia, compared with the second quarter of 2016 the 
GDP  growth  rate  at  +3,4%  has  been  confirmed.  The 
GDP growth rates in second quarter of 2017, had been 
estimated  at  +0.6%  compared  with 
the  previous 
quarter45.

23 

1,001,051,101,151,201,251,301,351,401,451,50Oct/14Jan/15Apr/15Jul/15Oct/15Jan/16Apr/16Jul/16Oct/16Jan/17Apr/17Jul/17Oct/17USD90100110120130140150160Oct/14Jan/15Apr/15Jul/15Oct/15Jan/16Apr/16Jul/16Oct/16Jan/17Apr/17Jul/17Oct/17JPY7,007,407,808,208,609,009,409,80Oct/14Jan/15Apr/15Jul/15Oct/15Jan/16Apr/16Jul/16Oct/16Jan/17Apr/17Jul/17Oct/17NOK 
 
 
  
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

EUMOFA Monthly Highlights is published by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs 
and Fisheries of the European Commission.  

Editor: European Commission, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, 
Director-General.  

Disclaimer: Although the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Directorate-General is responsible 
for the overall production of this publication, the views and conclusions presented in this 
report reflect the opinion of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the 
Commission or its officers. 

© European Union, 2017 
KL-AK-17-009-EN-N 
ISSN 2314-9671 

Photographs ©Eurofish, Seafish. 

Reproduction is authorised, provided the source is acknowledged. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND COMMENTS: 
Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries 
B-1049 Brussels 
Tel: +32 229-50101 
Email: contact-us@eumofa.eu  

THIS REPORT HAS BEEN COMPILED USING EUMOFA DATA AND THE FOLLOWING SOURCES: 

First sales: EUMOFA, FAO (Globefish). 

Global  supply:  European  Commission,  Directorate-
General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE); 
EUMOFA; Ministry of Agriculture of Croatia; Norwegian 
Seafood Council; Statistical office of Slovenia; Statistics 
Iceland; Vietnam Seafood. 

Case study: EUMOFA; ICCAT; European Commission 
(DG MARE); Marine Stewardship Council (MSC); FAO; 
Kontaly  Analyse  AS;  Marine  Harvest;  Federation  of 
Greek Mariculture (FGM); guidededespeces.org. 

Consumption: EUMOFA. 

Macroeconomic  context:  EUROSTAT;  ECB,  Chamber  of 
Commerce of Forlì-Cesena, Italy; DPMA, France; ARVI, Spain; 
MABUX. 

The underlying first-sales data is in a separate Annex available 
on  the  EUMOFA  website.  Analyses  are  made  at  aggregated 
(main commercial species) level. 

The  European  Market  Observatory  for  Fisheries  and 
Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA) was developed by the 
European Commission, representing one of the tools of the 
new  Market  Policy  in  the  framework  of  the  reform  of  the 
Common Fisheries Policy. [Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 
art. 42]. 

The database is based on data provided and validated by 
Member States and European institutions. It is available in 
24 languages. 

EUMOFA  website  is  publicly  available  at  the  following 
address: www.eumofa.eu. 

As a market intelligence tool, EUMOFA provides regular 
weekly prices, monthly market trends, and annual structural 
data along the supply chain. 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                               
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
European Market Observatory  for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO. 9/2017 

6.  Endnotes 

1 Bivalves and other molluscs and aquatic invertebrates, cephalopods, crustaceans, flatfish, freshwater fish, groundfish, 
miscellaneous aquatic products, other marine fish, salmonids, small pelagics, and tuna and tuna-like species. 

2 http://www.ices.dk/sites/pub/Publication%20Reports/Advice/Popular%20advice/bss-8ab_popular.pdf  

3 http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2291/en 

4 http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-5699-2015-INIT/en/pdf  

5 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32015R1316&from=EN  

6 COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2017/127 fixing for 2017 the fishing opportunities for fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, 
applicable in Union waters and, for Union vessels, in certain non-Union waters. 

7 http://www.fao.org/fishery/culturedspecies/Mytilus_edulis/en  

8 FAO publication, The European Market for Mussel, GLOBEFISH Research Programme, Vol. 115. Rome (2014). 

9 http://www.fao.org/in-action/globefish/fishery-information/resource-detail/en/c/338588/ 

10 https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/new-scientific-report-shows-positive-economic-trends-eu-fishing-fleet_en 

11 https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/eu-leads-way-implementing-ecosystem-approach-nortwest-atlantic_en 

12 https://www.fishupdate.com/norway-russia-agree-barents-sea-quotas/  

13 http://www.fao.org/americas/noticias/ver/en/c/1039097/  

14 Official Gazette of the Republic of Croatia, No 90/17. http://www.propisi.hr/print.php?id=14672 

15 https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/41st-annual-session-general-fisheries-commission-mediterranean-making-change-happen-med-
and-black_en  

16 http://en.seafood.no/news-and-media/news-archive/norways-seafood-exports-total-nok-69-billion-year-to-date--/ 

17 Statistical office, Republic of Slovenia. http://www.stat.si/StatWeb/News/Index/6881  

18 http://www.statice.is/publications/news-archive/fisheries/fish-catches-in-september-2017/ 

19 http://seafood.vasep.com.vn/seafood/50_12261/vietnam-shrimp-sales-to-eu-climbed-up-30.htm 

20 http://iccat.int/Documents/Recs/compendiopdf-e/2016-03-e.pdf 

21 http://iccat.int/Documents/Recs/compendiopdf-e/2016-04-e.pdf  

22 https://www.iccat.int/Documents/Meetings/Docs/2017_PA4_FINAL_ENG.pdf  

23 https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/mediterranean-swordfish-eu-leads-effort-stock-recovery-while-securing-70-fishing-quotas_fr  

24 http://www.guidedesespeces.org/fr/espadon  

25 https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/north-and-south-atlantic-swordfish-spanish-longline-fishery  

26 https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/marine_species/farmed_fish_and_shellfish/seabass_en  

27 Kontali Analyse AS. 

28 https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/marine_species/farmed_fish_and_shellfish/seabream_en  

29 Kontali Analyse AS. 

30 EUMOFA landings data. 

31 Harvest estimates, Kontali Analyse AS. 

32 Marine Harvest - Industry Handbook. 

33 Kontali Analyse AS. 

34 EUMOFA. 

35 Kontali Analyse AS. 

36 Marine Harvest Industry Handbook. 

37 The EU Fish Market 2016. 

38 Federation of Greek Mariculture (FGM). 

39 Marin Harvest Industry Handbook. 

40 Kontali Analyse AS. 

41http://www.eumofa.eu/documents/20178/104890/MH+7+2017.pdf  
42 http://www.eumofa.eu/documents/20178/104890/MH+7+2017.pdf  

43 http://www.eumofa.eu/documents/20178/104890/MH+7+2017.pdf  

44 http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8357385/2-31102017-BP-EN.pdf  

45 http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8213935/2-07092017-AP-EN.pdf 

25