EUMOFA, European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products - Monthly highlights. No. 8/2020.
Date: 2020-12-14
Institutions: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
Subjects: EU market, aquaculture, fisheries policy, fishery product, serial publication, trade policy

Monthly Highlights 
No. 8 / 2020 

In this issue 
Over the 36-month period from May 2017 to May 2020, 
the  average  first-sales  price  of  European  conger  in 
Portugal  was  2,72  EUR/kg,  27%  higher  than  in  Spain 
(2,14  EUR/kg),  and  84%  higher  than 
in  France  
(1,48  EUR/kg).  The  average  first-sales  price  of  ling  in 
France  was  2,63  EUR/kg,  19%  higher  than  in  Denmark 
(2,21 EUR/kg) and 20% more than in Spain (2,19 EUR/kg). 

The  price  of  frozen  fillets  of  Nile  perch  imported  from 
Tanzania into the EU was 5,72 EUR/kg in the last week of 
June.  This  was  significantly  higher  than  both  the 
preceding four-week average (4,07 EUR/kg, +41%), and 
a year earlier (3,16 EUR/kg, +81%).  

Over  the  past  three  years,  Irish  consumers  spent  the 
most  for  fresh  hake  (12,11  EUR/kg  on  average),  19% 
Italy  
more 
(10,20 EUR/kg on average) and 12% more than in France 
(10,77 EUR/kg). 

that  spent  by  consumers 

than 

in 

In  2019,  EU  imports  of  fisheries  and  aquaculture 
products  from  Thailand  amounted  to  63.000  tonnes, 
worth EUR 324 million. Squid and skipjack tuna were the 
most imported species, mainly imported by Italy and the 
UK, respectively.  

In 2018, the EU-28 catches of Patagonian toothfish were 
6.886 tonnes, of which France accounted for 80%. The 
rest was shared between Spain (4%) and the UK (16%). 

In July 2020, the EU extended the protocol to the existing 
Fisheries  Partnership  Agreement  (FPA)  with  the  Islamic 
Republic of Mauritania for one year. This is the biggest 
FPA  for  the  EU  both in  financial  terms and in terms of 
fishing opportunities. 

EUMOFA news page has just been launched 
and can be accessed here. 

Contents 

First sales in Europe 
European conger (France, Spain, 
Portugal) and ling (Denmark, France, 
Spain) 

Extra-EU imports 
Weekly average EU import prices of 
selected products from  
selected countries of origin 

Consumption 
Fresh hake in France, Ireland, and Italy 

Case studies 
Fisheries and aquaculture in Thailand 
Patagonian toothfish in the EU market 

Global highlights 

Macroeconomic context 
Marine fuel, consumer prices, and 
exchange rates 

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

Follow us on Twitter: 
@EU_MARE #EUMOFA 

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European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

1.  First sales in Europe 

During  January–May  2020,  13  EU  Member  States  (MS),  Norway,  and  the  United  Kingdom  reported  
first-sales data for 10 commodity groups1. First-sales data are based on sales notes and data collected from auction 
markets.  

1.1.   Compared to the same period last year 

Increases in value and volume: First sales grew in both volume and value only in Norway due to increased sales 
of cod and herring. Volume-increases against value-decreases were seen in Lithuania and in the UK, while the opposite 
was seen in Estonia and Portugal. A higher value of eel contributed to the overall value increase in Estonia. 

Decreases in value and volume: First-sales value and volume declined in Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, 
Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden. The drops seen in France were primarily caused by reduced sales 
of monk and hake. In Poland, decreases were mainly due to European flounder and cod.  

Table 1. 

JANUARY–MAY OVERVIEW OF FIRST SALES FROM THE REPORTING COUNTRIES  
(volume in tonnes and value in million EUR) * 

January – May 
2018 

January – May 
2019 

January – May 
2020 

Change since  
January – May 2019  

Country 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Belgium 

Denmark 

Estonia 

France 

Greece 

Italy** 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

6.151 

25,44 

5.684 

23,83 

4.993 

85.247 

130,55 

81.628 

115,43 

52.754 

29.791 

6,59 

33.217 

6,88 

29.879 

23,33 

79,67 

7,55 

77.820 

265,50 

75.979 

257,49 

59.281 

197,66 

8.635 

18,29 

9.769 

21,80 

9.582 

21,02 

33.247 

127,08 

32.772 

135,45 

26.287 

104,03 

22.245 

1.101 

4,24 

0,87 

26.769 

645 

4,57 

0,52 

21.101 

1.018 

4,29 

0,47 

Netherlands 

154.115 

217,52 

113.527 

169,73 

101.436 

142,65 

Norway 

Poland 

Portugal 

Spain 

Sweden 

UK 

1.675.394 

1.212,36 

1.275.823 

1.049,57  1.500.659 

1.234,04 

58.424 

16,72 

64.336 

16,24 

49.604 

11,36 

27.803 

67,86 

31.598 

77,50 

26.653 

77,74 

183.013 

516,30 

202.871 

574,98 

195.109 

508,77 

128.380 

46,15 

111.862 

42,08 

70.165 

31,73 

98.451 

175,84 

109.235 

233,16 

109.864 

180,18 

-12% 

-35% 

-10% 

-22% 

-2% 

-20% 

-21% 

58% 

-11% 

18% 

-23% 

-16% 

-4% 

-37% 

1% 

-2% 

-31% 

10% 

-23% 

-4% 

-23% 

-6% 

-10% 

-16% 

18% 

-30% 

0,3% 

-12% 

-25% 

-23% 

  Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). Possible discrepancies in % changes are due to rounding. 
* Volumes are reported in net weight for EU Member States and the UK and in live weight equivalent (LWE) for Norway. Prices are reported in EUR/kg  
   (without VAT). For Norway, prices are reported in EUR/kg of live weight. 
** Partial data: first-sales data for Italy cover 229 ports (approximately 50% of the total landings in the country). 

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

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

1.2.  In May 2020 compared with previous years 

Increases in value and volume: Of the reporting countries only Estonia and Portugal experienced increases, owing 
to supply increases for herring and sprat in Estonia, and scabbardfish, albacore, and bigeye tuna in Portugal. Norway 
reported a volume-increase against a value-drop. 

Decreases in value and volume: Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, 
Spain, Sweden, and the UK experienced decreases in both value and volume. In Belgium, the decrease was primarily 
caused by a decline in the supply of European plaice and common sole. In the UK, first sales decreased mainly due to 
a reduced sales of Norway lobster and scallop. 

Table 2.  MAY OVERVIEW OF FIRST SALES FROM THE REPORTING COUNTRIES  

(volume in tonnes and value in million EUR) * 

May 2018 

May 2019 

May 2020 

Change since  
May 2019 

Country 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Belgium 

Denmark 

Estonia 

France 

Greece 

Italy** 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

668 

16.737 

7.057 

16.655 

2.743 

10.353 

2.492 

290 

2,53 

30,57 

1,76 

52,61 

4,79 

37,14 

0,57 

0,19 

1.075 

9.783 

4.456 

4,41 

21,75 

1,12 

689 

6.268 

9205 

14.360 

51,55 

10.757 

3.282 

8.631 

4.211 

120 

6,37 

34,98 

0,77 

0,09 

3.131 

6.240 

2.901 

73 

3,13 

10,78 

1,99 

35,50 

5,51 

24,03 

0,65 

0,04 

Netherlands 

30.157 

43,39 

23.504 

35,81 

20.808 

28,22 

Norway 

Poland 

Portugal 

Spain 

Sweden 

UK 

224.029 

153,69 

234.017 

178,19 

259.691 

133,54 

5.121 

1,30 

10.845 

2,86 

3.157 

0,65 

9.117 

16,68 

7.496 

15,23 

8.035 

17,05 

41.968 

116,38 

52.364 

131,32 

45.464 

116,24 

22.237 

13.780 

9,70 

35,92 

16.328 

17.725 

7,78 

11.479 

41,91 

11.875 

6,51 

21,15 

-36% 

-36% 

107% 

-25% 

-5% 

-28% 

-31% 

-39% 

-11% 

11% 

-71% 

7% 

-13% 

-30% 

-33% 

-29% 

-50% 

77% 

-31% 

-14% 

-31% 

-15% 

-58% 

-21% 

-25% 

-77% 

12% 

-11% 

-16% 

-50% 

Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). Possible discrepancies in % changes are due to rounding. 
* Volumes are reported in net weight for EU Member States and the UK and in live weight equivalent (LWE) for Norway. Prices are reported in EUR/kg  
(without VAT). For Norway, prices are reported in EUR/kg of live weight. 
** Partial data: first-sales data for Italy cover 229 ports (approximately 50% of the total landings in the country). 

The most recent weekly first-sales data (up to week 35 of 2020) are available via the EUMOFA website, and can 
be accessed here. 

The most recent first-sales data for June 2020 are available via the EUMOFA website, and can be accessed here. 

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European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

1.3.   First sales in selected countries 

In 
in  
Belgium, 
January–May  2020 
relative to the same period of the 
previous  year,  first-sales  value 
and  volume  decreased  by  2% 
and  12%,  respectively,  largely 
In  
to  European  plaice. 
due 
May  2020,  European  plaice, 
turbot,  and  common  sole  were 
the main species responsible for 
decreases  in  both  value  and 
volume  relative  to  May  2019.  
Among  these  species,  turbot 
recorded  the  highest  average 
price 
25%  
(8,43 EUR/kg). 

decrease 

of 

compared 

in  
Denmark, 
In 
January–May  2020, 
first  sales  decreased  by  31%  in 
value  (mainly  due  to  cod  and 
Norway  lobster)  and  by  35%  in 
(due  to  herring  and 
volume 
to  
clam), 
January–May  2019. 
In  May 
2020,  first  sales  decreased  in 
both  value  and  volume  relative 
to  May  2019.  Norway  lobster, 
cod, European plaice, and saithe 
were 
species 
the 
the  decline. 
responsible 
the 
species, 
Among 
average  price  of  saithe  saw  the 
sharpest  decline  (-29%),  falling 
to 1,15 EUR/kg. 

primary 
for 

these 

relative 

In 
2020 

January–May 
to 
January–May  2019,  Estonia 
saw  an  increase  in  first-sales 
value  (+10%)  due  to  pike-perch 
and a decrease in volume (-10%) 
primarily  caused  by  reduced 
supplies  of  herring. 
In  May 
2020, first sales were higher in 
both value and volume than they 
had been during the same month 
in  2019.  This  was  primarily  due 
to  higher  supplies  of  herring, 
sprat, and other freshwater fish*. 

Figure 1.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN BELGIUM, 

MAY 2020 

Total volume: 689 tonnes, -36%
Total value: EUR 3,1 million, -29%

0%

-7%

-75%

-29%

-47%

-52%

-63%

2.000

1.500

1.000

500

-72%

150

120

90

60

30

European plaice

Turbot

Common sole

Sole, other

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

Percentages show change from the previous year. Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

Figure 2.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN DENMARK, 

MAY 2020 

Total volume: 6.268 tonnes, -36%
Total value: EUR 10,8 million, -50%

1.500

1.200

900

600

300

-69%

-58%

-62%

-57%

-38%

-31%

-51%

-66%

2.400

1.800

1.200

600

Norway lobster

Cod

European plaice

Saithe

Percentages show change from the previous year. Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

Figure 3.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN ESTONIA, 

9.000

7.500

6.000

4.500

3.000

1.500

MAY 2020 

+105%

+98%

Total volume: 9.205 tonnes, +107%
Total value: EUR 2,0 million, +77%

+250%

+397%

-18%

+26%

Herring

Sprat

Other freshwater fish*

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

1.800

1.500

1.200

900

600

300

Percentages show change from the previous year. Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020).  
* EUMOFA aggregation for species (Metadata 2, Annex 3: http://eumofa.eu/supply-balance-and-other-
methodologies). 

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European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

In 
in  
France, 
January–May  2020, 
first  sales  decreased  by  23%  in 
in  volume 
value  and  22% 
compared to January–May 2019. 
The  fall  in  value  was  caused  by 
monk, while volume fell primarily 
due to reduced supplies of hake. 
first  sales 
In  May  2020, 
decreased  in  value  and  volume 
relative  to  May  2019.  The  main 
contributing  species  were  monk, 
hake, common sole, and whiting. 
Of these species, hake registered 
a 28% decrease in average price, 
reaching  2,44  EUR/kg,  while 
whiting registered 33% increase 
(3,01 EUR/kg). 

In 
in  
Greece, 
January–May  2020, 
first-sales  value  fell  by  4% 
relative  to  the  same  period  in 
2019,  due  to  lower  supplies  of 
red  mullet  and 
swordfish.  
First-sales volume decreased by 
2%, primarily due to anchovy. In 
May 2020, first-sales value and 
volume  were  lower  than  in  May 
2019,  driven  by  miscellaneous 
tuna*, red mullet, swordfish, and 
anchovy.  

Italy 
in  
In 
January–May  2020, 
first  sales  fell  by  23%  in  value 
and  20%  in  volume  relative  to 
in  2019. 
the  same  period 
the  value  of 
Decreases 
in 
miscellaneous 
shrimps*  and 
anchovy,  as  well  as  reduced 
volumes  of  sardine  and  clam, 
were the main drivers behind the 
downward  trend.  In  May  2020, 
first sales decreased in value and 
volume  relative  to  May  2019, 
driven  primarily  by  decreases  in 
first  sales  of  miscellaneous 
shrimps,  anchovy,  clam,  and 
sardine. 

Figure 4.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN FRANCE, 

MAY 2020 

Total volume: 10.757 tonnes, -25%
Total value: EUR 35,5 million, -31%

-43%

-19% -42%

-28%

-28%

-51% -35%

1.200

900

600

300

-39%

3.000
2.500
2.000
1.500
1.000
500

Monk

Hake

Common sole

Whiting

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

Percentages show change from the previous year. Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

Figure 5.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN GREECE, 

MAY 2020 

1.200
1.000
800
600
400
200

Total volume: 3.131 tonnes, -5%
Total value: EUR 5,5 million, -14%

-3%

-14%

-22%

-61%-69%

-13%

-46%

-36%

Tuna,
miscellaneous*

Red mullet

Swordfish

Anchovy

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

1.200
1.000
800
600
400
200

Percentages show change from the previous year. Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020).  
*EUMOFA  aggregation  for  species  (Metadata  2,  Annex  3:  http://eumofa.eu/supply-balance-and-other-
methodologies). 

Figure 6.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN ITALY, MAY 

2020 

Total volume: 6.240 tonnes, -28%
Total value: EUR 24,0 million, -31%

-39%

-38%

-37%

-44%

3.000

2.500

2.000

1.500

1.000

500

-34%

-39%

-18%

1.500

1.200

900

600

300

-24%

Miscellaneous
shrimps*

Anchovy

Clam

Sardine

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

Percentages show change from the previous year.  Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 
*EUMOFA  aggregation  for  species  (Metadata  2,  Annex  3:  http://eumofa.eu/supply-balance-and-other-
methodologies).  

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

Figure 7.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN LATVIA,  

1.500

1.200

900

600

300

MAY 2020 

-32% -19%

Total volume: 2.901 tonnes, -31%
Total value: EUR 0,7 million, -15%

-43% -30%

+40%

+21%

+205% +386%

Herring

Sprat

Other freshwater
fish*

Smelt

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

300

200

100

Percentages show change from the previous year. Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020).  
*  EUMOFA  aggregation  for  species  (Metadata  2,  Annex  3:  http://eumofa.eu/supply-balance-and-other-
methodologies). 

2019. 

relative 

(−21%) 

In 
in  
Latvia, 
January–May  2020, 
sprat  and  herring  were  the  key 
species responsible for decreases 
in  first-sales  value  (−6%)  and 
to 
volume 
In  
January–May 
May 2020, first-sales value and 
volume  continued  to  decline  due 
to  sprat  and  herring.  Other 
freshwater  fish*  was  one  of  the 
few  commercial  groups 
that 
recorded an increase in first sales, 
thus contributing to an offsetting 
of the overall trend. The average 
price  of  smelt  increased  by  60% 
to 0,14 EUR/kg, due to fish stock 
availability  and  stable  market 
demand.  Cod’s  sales  in  Latvia 
plummeted  by  100%  from  May 
2019 to May 2020 due to ban on 
cod fishery in subdivisions 25 and 
26 of the Baltic Sea2.  As Latvian 
market  suppliers  mostly  operate 
abovementioned 
within 
the 
subdivisions, 
this  closure  has 
impacted  significantly  Latvian 
activities. 

In 
in  
Lithuania 
January–May  2020, 
first-sales  value  decreased  by 
10% due to smelt and cod, while 
volume increased by 58% (due to 
an  increased  supply  of  herring 
and  sprat),  relative  to  the  same 
period  in  2019.  In  May  2020, 
first-sales  value  and  volume 
sharply  fell  due  mainly  to  cod, 
turbot, other marine fish* (whose 
first  sales  were  only  down  in 
value)  and  other  groundfish 
compared  to  May  2019.  There 
low  sales  of  cod 
were  very 
(caught only as by-catch) due to a 
fishing  on 
ban  on 
eastern Baltic cod in 2020. 

targeted 

Figure 8.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN LITHUANIA, 

MAY 2020 

20

15

10

5

Total volume: 73 tonnes, -39%
Total value: EUR 0,04 million, -58%

-28%

-10%

-53%

+18%

-47%

-100% -100%

-56%

Cod

Turbot

Other marine fish* Other groundfish*

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

20

15

10

5

Percentages show change from the previous year. Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020).  
*EUMOFA  aggregation  for  species  (Metadata  2,  Annex  3:  http://eumofa.eu/supply-balance-and-other-
methodologies). 

2 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/10/15/baltic-sea-council-agreement-on-2020-catch-limits/  

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

In  the  Netherlands  in 
January–May  2020, 
first  sales  decreased  by  16%  in 
value  (mainly  due  to  common 
sole) and 11% in volume (due to 
blue  whiting)  compared  to  the 
same  period  in  2019.  In  May 
2020,  first  sales  exhibited  the 
same  downward  trends  in  both 
value and volume relative to May 
2019.  This  was  mainly  due  to 
common  sole,  European  plaice, 
miscellaneous  small  pelagics*, 
and  Norway  lobster.  The  latter 
the  greatest  price 
recorded 
reaching  
(−33%), 
decrease 
3,91 EUR/kg. Of other species, the 
shrimp fishery in the Netherlands 
partially  ceased  because  of  lack 
of  peeling  capacity  in  Morocco 
due to COVID-19 restrictions. This 
is  reflected  in  the  data  with  a 
46% decline in volumes. The low 
supply  increased  the  price  which 
was 61% higher than last year. 

in  
In 
Norway 
January–May  2020, 
first–sales  value  and  volume 
increased  by  18%  compared  to 
January–May  2019,  due  to  cod 
and  mackerel.  In  May  2020,  
first-sales 
decreased 
value 
relative  to  the  same  month  in 
2019, 
coldwater 
shrimp, 
cod,  and  Greenland 
halibut.  Total  first-sales  volume 
increased  due  to  herring,  other 
groundfish* and redfish. Of these 
species,  redfish  exhibited  the 
in 
most  significant  decrease 
average  price  (-73%),  falling  to 
0,27 EUR/kg. 

caused  by 

Figure 9.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN THE 

NETHERLANDS, MAY 2020 

Total volume 20.808 tonnes, -11%
Total value: EUR 28,2 million, -21%

-45%

-24%

-49%

-34%

-49%

1.500

1.200

900

600

300

-48%

Common sole

European plaice Miscellaneous
small pelagics*

-97%-98%

Norway lobster

4.000

3.000

2.000

1.000

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

Percentages show change from the previous year. Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 
*EUMOFA aggregation for species (Metadata 2, Annex 3: http://eumofa.eu/supply-balance-and-other-
methodologies). 

Figure 10.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN THE NORWAY, 

MAY 2020 

30.000

20.000

10.000

-52% -68%

Total volume: 259.691 tonnes, +11%
Total value: EUR 133,5 million, -25%

-1% -22%

+528%

+584%

-71% -81%

50.000

40.000

30.000

20.000

10.000

Coldwater shrimp

Cod

Greenland halibut

Herring

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

Percentages show change from the previous year. Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020).  

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

In 
in  
Poland 
January–May  2020, 
first  sales  decreased  by  30%  in 
value and 23% of volume relative 
to the same period of 2019. This 
was  caused  by  reduced  sales  of 
cod, sprat, European flounder, and 
herring. In May 2020, first-sales 
were 
value 
significantly  lower  than  in  May 
2019,  due  to  a  sharp  decline  in 
first  sales  of  sprat,  herring, 
European  flounder,  and  cod.  The 
ban on targeted fishing of eastern 
Baltic  cod  (with  by-catch  still 
permitted) 
triggered  a  71% 
increase  in  its  average  price, 
causing it to reach 2,43 EUR/kg. 

volume 

and 

In 
in  
Portugal 
January–May  2020, 
first  sales  remained  stable  in 
value and decreased by 16% (due 
to  anchovy)  in  volume  compared 
to  the  same  period  in  2019.  In 
May  2020,  relative  to  the  same 
month  of  2019,  first-sales  value 
increased,  with 
and  volume 
albacore 
tuna, 
scabbardfish,  and  squid  as  the 
biggest contributors. To be noted 
that  first  sales  of  albacore  and 
bigeye tuna increased by 100% in 
May  2020  as  there  were  no  any 
registered sales in May 2019. 

tuna,  bigeye 

In 
in  
Spain 
January–May  2020, 
relative  to  the  same  period  of 
2019,  first  sales  showed  a 
decrease  in  value  (−12%)  and 
volume  (−4%)  due  to  hake  and 
anchovy. In May 2020, first sales 
continued  on  a  downward  trend, 
decreasing in value primarily due 
to hake, monk and clam. Skipjack 
tuna,  bigeye  tuna,  and  yellowfin 
tuna  recorded  the  highest  fall  in 
volume.  Monk 
recorded  an 
average  price  decrease  of  28%, 
falling to 4,10 EUR/kg. 

Figure 11.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN POLAND,  

2.400
2.000
1.600
1.200
800
400

MAY 2020 

-67% -65%

Total volume: 3.157 tonnes, -71%
Total value: EUR 0,7 million, -77%

-66%

-65%

-84% -81%

-99% -98%

Sprat

Herring

European flounder

Cod

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

400

300

200

100

Percentages show change from the previous year. Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

Figure 12.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN PORTUGAL, 

MAY 2020 

Total volume: 8.035 tonnes, +7%
Total value: EUR 17,0 million, +12%

+100%

+100%

+100%

+100%

+141%+130%

500
400
300
200
100

1.500
1.200
900
600
300

+177%

+160%

Albacore tuna

Bigeye tuna

Scabbardfish

Squid

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

Percentages show change from the previous year. Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

Figure 13.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN SPAIN, MAY 

6.000

4.500

3.000

1.500

2020 

-38%

-26%

Total volume: 45.464 tonnes, -13%
Total value: EUR 116,2 million, -11%

-34%

-9%

-46%

-43%

-53%

+92%

Hake

Monk

Clam

Skipjack tuna

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

Percentages show change from the previous year. Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

15.000
12.000
9.000
6.000
3.000

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

In 
in  
Sweden 
January–May  2020, 
first  sales  dropped  in  both  value 
(−37%) 
(−25%)  and  volume 
compared to January–May 2019, 
mainly due to herring and sprat. In 
May 2020 relative to May 2019, 
first-sales  value  and  volume  fell 
due  to  herring,  Norway  lobster, 
saithe,  cod,  and  sprat.  The 
grouping  of  other  groundfish* 
was a high contributor to overall 
fell in volume. Among these main 
commercial 
herring 
recorded  the  highest  average 
price  increase  (+44%,  to  reach 
0,33 EUR/kg). 

species, 

UK 

the 

In 
in  
January–May  2020 
relative  to  the  same  period  in 
previous  year,  first-sales  value 
decreased by 23% mainly due to 
Norway 
lobster,  while  volume 
slightly  increased  by  1%  due  to 
mackerel  and  blue  whiting.  In 
May 2020, first-sales value and 
volume decreased relative to May 
2019.  The  major  species  that 
include 
this  decline 
caused 
Norway lobster, scallop, cod, and 
haddock. Norway lobster and crab 
recorded 
in 
average  price  (-31%)  falling  to 
2,68  EUR/kg  and  2,13  EUR/kg, 
respectively. 

decreases 

the 

Figure 14.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN SWEDEN,  

MAY 2020 

-69%

1.600

1.200

800

400

-55%

Total volume: 11.479 tonnes, -30%
Total value: EUR 6,5 million, -16%

-22%

-12%

-82% -86%

-69% -57%

1.500

1.200

900

600

300

Herring

Norway lobster

Saithe

Cod

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

Percentages show change from the previous year. Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020).  
*EUMOFA  aggregation  for  species 
methodologies). 

(Metadata  2,  Annex  3:  http://eumofa.eu/supply-balance-and-other-

Figure 15.  FIRST SALES OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN THE UK, MAY 

2020 

Total volume: 11.875 tonnes, -33%
Total value: EUR 21,2 million, -50%

-57% -70%

-53%

-66%

-56%

-43%

-48%

-64%

800

600

400

200

2.000

1.600

1.200

800

400

Norway lobster

Scallop

Monk

Crab

Volume (tonnes)

Value (EUR 1000)

Percentages show change from the previous year. Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

1.4.  Comparison of first-sales prices of selected species in selected countries 

Figure 16.  FIRST-SALES PRICES OF OCTOPUS IN ITALY, 

PORTUGAL, AND SPAIN  

10,00

9,00

8,00

g
k
/
R
U
E

7,00

6,00

5,00

4,00

7
0
M
-
7
1
0
2

9
0
M
-
7
1
0
2

3
0
M
-
8
1
0
2

1
1
M
-
7
1
0
2

1
0
M
-
8
1
0
2
Italy

5
0
M
-
8
1
0
2

7
0
M
-
8
1
0
2

9
0
M
-
8
1
0
2

1
1
3
1
0
0
M
M
M
-
-
-
8
9
9
1
1
1
0
0
0
2
2
2
Portugal

5
0
M
-
9
1
0
2

7
0
M
-
9
1
0
2

9
0
M
-
9
1
0
2

3
0
M
-
0
2
0
2

1
1
M
-
9
1
0
2

1
0
M
-
0
2
0
2
Spain

5
0
M
-
0
2
0
2

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.07.2020). 

Figure 17.  FIRST-SALES PRICES OF POLLACK IN DENMARK, 

FRANCE, AND THE UK 

11,00

9,00

7,00

5,00

3,00

1,00

g
k
/
R
U
E

7
0
M
-
7
1
0
2

9
0
M
-
7
1
0
2

1
1
M
-
7
1
0
2

1
0
M
-
8
1
0
2

3
0
M
-
8
1
0
2

5
0
M
-
8
1
0
2

7
0
M
-
8
1
0
2

9
0
M
-
8
1
0
2

1
1
M
-
8
1
0
2

1
0
M
-
9
1
0
2

3
0
M
-
9
1
0
2

5
0
M
-
9
1
0
2

7
0
M
-
9
1
0
2

9
0
M
-
9
1
0
2

1
1
M
-
9
1
0
2

1
0
M
-
0
2
0
2

3
0
M
-
0
2
0
2

5
0
M
-
0
2
0
2

Denmark

France

UK

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.07.2020).  

Figure 18.  FIRST-SALES PRICES OF NORWAY LOBSTER IN 
DENMARK, FRANCE, AND SWEDEN 

g
k
/
R
U
E

25,00

20,00

15,00

10,00

5,00

0,00

7
0
M
-
7
1
0
2

9
0
M
-
7
1
0
2

1
1
M
-
7
1
0
2

1
0
M
-
8
1
0
2

3
0
M
-
8
1
0
2

5
0
M
-
8
1
0
2

7
0
M
-
8
1
0
2

9
0
M
-
8
1
0
2

1
1
M
-
8
1
0
2

1
0
M
-
9
1
0
2

3
0
M
-
9
1
0
2

5
0
M
-
9
1
0
2

7
0
M
-
9
1
0
2

9
0
M
-
9
1
0
2

1
1
M
-
9
1
0
2

1
0
M
-
0
2
0
2

3
0
M
-
0
2
0
2

5
0
M
-
0
2
0
2

Denmark

France

Sweden

Source: EUMOFA (updated 17.07.2020). 

First sales of octopus occur primarily in Spain, as 
well as in Portugal and Italy. The average prices 
in May 2020 (the most recent available data) were 
5,87 EUR/kg in Italy (up from both April 2020 and 
May  2019  by  1%  and  13%,  respectively);  
5,35  EUR/kg  in  Portugal  (down  from  both  the 
previous  month  and  year  by  4%  and  12%, 
respectively).  In  Spain,  the  average  price  was  
5,08  EUR/kg  (up  by  4%  up  from  April  2020  and 
down by 13% from May 2019). First-sales volume 
decreased in Portugal and Spain (by 10% and 1%, 
respectively)  and  increased  in  Italy  (by  15%). 
Octopus  fisheries  are  seasonal,  with  different 
peaks  for  each  of  the  three  countries.    Over  the 
36-month  period,  prices  increased  in  Italy  and 
decreased in Portugal and Spain. During the same 
period, supply increased in Portugal and Spain, and 
decreased in Italy. 

First  sales  of  pollack 
in  Europe  occur 
predominately in France, as well as in the UK and 
Denmark.  In  May  2020,  the  average  first-sales 
prices  of  pollack  were:  2,69  EUR/kg  in  Denmark 
(45%  up  from  the  previous  month  and  down  by 
23%  from  the  previous  year);  6,84  EUR/kg  in 
France (down from April 2020 and May 2019 by 
2% and 4%, respectively); and 2,39 EUR/kg in the 
UK (4% higher than April 2020, and down by 24% 
from May 2019). In Denmark, the price increase in 
May  2020  was  due  to  a  sudden  fall  in  supply  
(–41%). In France and the UK, supply increased by 
13%  and  50%,  respectively.  Over  the  36-month 
period, pollack prices increased in both France and 
the UK, and decreased in Denmark. Over the same 
period,  volume  decreased 
First-sales  volume 
is  seasonal,  with  peaks 
between April and June in Denmark, and between 
January and March in France and the UK. 

in  all  markets.   

EU first sales of Norway lobster occur in many 
countries, 
including  Denmark,  France,  and 
Sweden.  In  May  2020,  the  average  first-sales 
prices  of  Norway  lobster  were:  5,96  EUR/kg  in 
Denmark  (up  by  13%  from  the  previous  month, 
and  down  by  20%  from  the  previous  year);  
10,48  EUR/kg  in  France  (down  from  both  the 
previous  month  and  year  by  15%  and  1%, 
respectively); 7,17 EUR/kg in Sweden (9% higher 
than the previous month but 12% lower than the 
previous year). In May 2020 supply decreased in 
Denmark (–3%) and increased in France (+85%), 
as  well  as  in  Sweden  (+18%).  Over  the  past  
36-month period, prices remained relatively stable 
in France and decreased in Denmark and Sweden. 
Over the past three years, supply decreased in all 
markets. Supply is seasonal, with peaks between 
August  and  September  in  Denmark  and  Sweden, 
and between May and June in France.  

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

1.5.  Commodity group of the month: groundfish3 

The  “groundfish”  commodity  group  (CG4)  ranked 
first in value and second in volume for first sales of 
the 10 CGs in May 2020 5. First sales of groundfish 
reached  38.869 
of  
tonnes 
EUR  50,7  million,  representing  decreases  of  16% 
and  28%,  respectively,  when  compared  to  May 
2019. In the past 36 months the highest first-sales 
value 
at  
EUR 86,3 million (March 2018). 

groundfish  was 

registered 

value 

of 

at 

a 

includes  
The  groundfish  commodity  group 
14  main  commercial  species  (MCS):  Alaska 
pollock,  blue  whiting,  cod,  grenadier,  haddock, 
hake,  ling,  pollack,  pouting,  redfish,  saithe, 
toothfish,  whiting,  and  grouping  of  the  other 
groundfish species6. 

At Electronic Recording and Reporting System (ERS) 
level, European conger (1%) and ling (2%) together 
accounted  for  3%  of  the  total  reported  first-sales 
value  of  the  groundfish  commodity  group  in  
May 2020. 

Figure 19.  FIRST-SALES VALUE COMPARISON AT CG LEVEL, 

MCS LEVEL AND ERS LEVEL FOR REPORTING 
COUNTRIES* (JUNE 2017 – MAY 2020) 

)
R
U
E

n
o

i
l
l
i

m

(

l

e
u
a
V

)
R
U
E

n
o

i
l
l
i

m

(

l

e
u
a
V

90,0

80,0

70,0

60,0

50,0

40,0

30,0

20,0

10,0

0,0

2017

2018

2019

2020

Groundfish (CG)

Ling (MCS)

Other groundfish (MCS)

8,0

7,0

6,0

5,0

4,0

3,0

2,0

1,0

0,0

2017

2018

2019

2020

Ling (MCS)
Ling (ERS)

Other groundfish (MCS)
European conger (ERS)

*Norway and the UK are excluded from the analyses.  
Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

1.6. 

Focus on European conger  

The European conger (Conger conger) is a species of conger of the family 
Congridae. It is the largest eel in the world and can be found at 0–500 m 
of depth in the eastern Atlantic from Norway and Iceland to Senegal, and 
in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It is usually present on rough, rocky, 
broken ground close to the coast when young, moving to deeper waters 
when adult. It has an average adult length of 1,5 m and average weight of 2,5 to 25 kg. The maximum length is 3 m and 
maximum weight about 65 kg. When it reaches sexual maturity at an age of 5-15 years, it migrates to spawning areas in 
the Mediterranean and the Atlantic where it reproduces only once in its life. It feeds on fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods7.  

3 EUMOFA aggregation for species (Metadata 2, Annex 3: http://eumofa.eu/supply-balance-and-other-methodologies  
4 Annex 3: http://eumofa.eu/supply-balance-and-other-methodologies  
5 More data on commodity groups can be found in Table 1.2 of the Annex. 
6 Most sold other groundfish species at ERS level include blackbelly rosefish, European conger, greater forkbeard, sandells, etc. 
7 http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2994/en  

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

The  species  is  caught  by  bottom  trawls,  spears,  hooks,  and  bottom  set  longlines.  These  fishing  methods  produce  high  
by-catch rates, making it a frequent by-catch in fisheries targeting other species. France and Spain have the highest catch 
of European conger in the EU. At the EU level, there are no specific management measures for this species. 

Selected countries 

Figure 20.  EUROPEAN CONGER: FIRST SALES IN FRANCE 

in  January–May  2020,  first  sales 
In  France 
decreased  by  15%  in  value  and  by  21%  in  volume 
relative  to  the  same  period  of  2019.  Compared  to 
2018,  first  sales  were  lower  by  14%  in  value  and 
20%  in  volume.    France  has  the  highest  catch  of 
conger among the surveyed countries. Usually, supply 
is highest in winter, and lowest in summer. 

Of  groundfish  first  sales  in  May  2020,  European 
conger  accounted  for  5%  of  total  value  and  7%  of 
total volume. 

Quiberon,  Guilvinec,  and  Noirmoutier-en-l'Île  in  the 
Bay  of  Biscay  were  the  ports  with  the  highest 
reported  levels  of  European  conger  first  sales  in 
January–May 2020. 

480

400

e
m
u
o
V

l

320

240

160

80

0

l

e
u
a
V

600,00

500,00

400,00

300,00

200,00

100,00

0,00

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

2017
2018
Volume  (tonnes)

2019

2020

Value (1000 EUR)

Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

Figure 21.  FIRST SALES: COMPARISON OF GROUNDFISH (ERS) IN FRANCE, VALUE AND VOLUME, MAY 2020 

European 
conger
5%

European 
hake
37%

Other
18%

Whiting
11%

Saithe
13%

Total value
EUR 7,1 mil

Pollack
10%

Ling
6%

European 
conger
7%

European 
hake
34%

Other
21%

Whiting
8%

Saithe
21%

Total volume
3.183 tonnes

Ling
6%

Pollack
3%

   Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

In  Portugal  in  January–May  2020,  first  sales  of 
conger increased by 59% in value and 22% in volume 
relative  to  the  same  period  in  2019.  Compared  with 
January–May 2018, value and volume increased by as 
much as 89% and 47% respectively. Of the surveyed 
countries,  Portugal  recorded  the  lowest  first-sales 
volume  of  conger,  which  explains  the  tendency  for 
fluctuations in value and volume, as seen in Figure 22. 

Of  groundfish  sold  at  first  sales  stage  in  May 2020, 
European conger accounted for 12% of value and 10% 
of volume. 

Ribeira Grande, Matosinhos, and Nazaré were the top 
three ports in the Bay of Biscay for first-sales value in 
January–May 2020. 

Figure 22.  EUROPEAN CONGER: FIRST SALES IN PORTUGAL 

e
m
u
o
V

l

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

150,00

125,00

100,00

75,00

50,00

25,00

0,00

l

e
u
a
V

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

2018
2017
Volume  (tonnes)

2019

2020

Value (1000 EUR)

Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

12 

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

Figure 23.  FIRST SALES: COMPARISON OF GROUNDFISH (ERS) IN PORTUGAL, VALUE AND VOLUME, MAY 2020 

Other
18%

European 
conger
12%

Blue 
whiting
10%

European 
hake
26%

Total value
EUR 0,9 mil

Pouting
23%

Forkbeard
11%

Other
7%

European 
conger
10%

Blue 
whiting
33%

Total volume
508 tonnes

European 
hake
23%

Pouting
23%

Forkbeard
4%

Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020) 

In  Spain  in  January–May  2020,  first  sales  of 
European conger decreased by 14% in value and 28% 
in  volume  relative  to  the  same  period  in  2019. 
Compared with January–May 2018, value and volume 
decreased by 15% and 26%, respectively.  

Of  groundfish  sold  in  May  2020,  European  conger 
accounted  for  3%  of  total  first-sales  value  and 
volume.  Of  other  species,  European  hake  was 
responsible  for  71%  of  total  groundfish  value  and 
50% of volume. 

Ondárroa,  A  Coruña,  and  Vigo  were  the  ports  in  the 
Bay of Biscay and Iberian coast responsible for nearly 
60% of total first-sales value in January–May 2020. 

Figure 24.  EUROPEAN CONGER: FIRST SALES IN SPAIN 

e
m
u
o
V

l

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

l

e
u
a
V

720,00

600,00

480,00

360,00

240,00

120,00

0,00

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

2017

2018

2019

2020

Volume  (tonnes)

Value (1000 EUR)

Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

Figure 25.  FIRST SALES: COMPARISON OF GROUNDFISH (ERS) IN SPAIN, VALUE AND VOLUME, MAY 2020 

Blue 
whiting
7%

Other
18%

Ling
1%

European 
conger
3%

Ling
1%

Other
17%

Blue 
whiting
29%

Total value
EUR 19,0 mil

European hake
71%

Total volume
9.129 tonnes

European hake
50%

European 
conger
3%

  Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

Price trend 

Figure 26.  EUROPEAN CONGER: FIRST-SALES PRICE IN 

SELECTED COUNTRIES 

g
k
/
R
U
E

5,00

4,00

3,00

2,00

1,00

0,00

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

2017

2018

2019

2020

France

Portugal

Spain

Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

the 

36-month 

observation 

period  
Over 
(June  2017–May  2020),  the  average  first-sales 
price  of  European  conger 
in  Portugal  was  
2,72 EUR/kg, which was 27% higher than in Spain 
(2,14  EUR/kg),  and  84%  higher  than  in  France  
(1,48 EUR/kg). 

In France in May 2020, the average first-sales price 
of European conger (1,62 EUR/kg) decreased by 8% 
relative  to  May  2019,  and  by  2%  relative  to  
May 2018.  During the past 36 months, the average 
price  varied  from  1,12  EUR/kg  for  376  tonnes  in 
October 2017, to 1,93 EUR/kg for 155 tonnes in July 
2017.  

In  Portugal  in  May  2020,  the  average  first-sales 
price of European conger (2,24 EUR/kg) decreased 
by 12% compared to May 2019 and by 4% relative 
to May 2018. Over the observed period, the lowest 
in  June  2018  at  
average  prices  were  seen 
2,01  EUR/kg  for  28  tonnes.  The  highest  average 
price was recorded in March 2018 at  3,34 EUR/kg 
for 12 tonnes. 

In  Spain  in  May  2020,  the  average  price  of 
European  conger  was  1,80  EUR/kg,  a  decrease  of 
15% compared to May 2019, and 14% compared to 
May 2018. The lowest price in the observed period 
was  recorded  in  April  2020  at  1,78  EUR/kg  for  
224  tonnes.  The  highest  price  (2,59  EUR/kg  for  
192 tonnes) was observed in December 2019. 

1.7. 

Focus on ling  

The common ling (Molva molva), is the largest member of the family Lotidae, a 
group of cod-like fishes. It is found from the Barents Sea to the northern Atlantic, 
mainly of Europe, and in the Mediterranean Basin. It is a demersal, solitary, and 
benthic species, which hides among rocks, crevices, and wrecks, and lives at depths 
of  15  to  600  m  or  more,  most  commonly  from  100  to  400  m.  It  feeds  primarily  on  fish  (cod,  herring,  flatfish)  and 
crustaceans. The maximum age is 10 years for males and 14 for females, and it can reach 200 cm in total length and  
30 kg in weight. In general, the gears used to catch ling are bottom trawls, longlines, gillnets, and handlines. EU vessels 
catch ling mainly with longlines or nets in open sea, in mixed fisheries, and with other groundfish species; or as by-catch, 
typically when the main target is Atlantic cod8.  

Ling stocks are managed by the EU alone or in cooperation with third-party countries, such as Norway. Management includes 
yearly precautionary fishing quotas established on the basis of independent scientific advice received from the International 
Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). There is a minimum conservation reference size of 63 cm in the North Sea and 
south-western waters9. 

8 http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2220/en  
9 Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32019R1241&from=EN  

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

Ling is marketed in fresh, salted, or dried forms, and is also used as fishmeal. The salted roe of ling is considered a delicacy 
in Spain10. 

Selected countries 

In Denmark in January–May 2020, first sales of ling 
decreased  by  44%  in  value  and  52%  in  volume 
relative  to  the  same  period  of  2019.  Compared  to 
2018, first sales declined by 49% in value and 58% 
in volume. Highest catches were usually recorded in 
spring,  while  low  catches  occurred  in  winter,  when 
weather conditions are rough. 

Of groundfish sold in May 2020, ling accounted for 
3% of first-sales value and 5% of first-sales volume. 
The highest recorded first sales for groundfish were 
taken  by  Atlantic  cod  in  terms  of  value  (42%)  and 
saithe in terms of volume (44%). 

The  ports  of  Hanstholm  and  Thyborøn  in  the  North 
Sea accounted for 91% of reported first-sales value 
of ling in January–May 2020. 

Figure 27.  LING: FIRST SALES IN DENMARK 

e
m
u
o
V

l

210

180

150

120

90

60

30

0

l

e
u
a
V

400,00

320,00

240,00

160,00

80,00

0,00

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

2018
2017
Volume  (tonnes)

2019

2020

Value (1000 EUR)

Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

Figure 28.  FIRST SALES: COMPARISON OF GROUNDFISH (ERS) IN DENMARK, VALUE AND VOLUME, MAY 2020 

Other
17%

Atlantic cod
42%

Saithe
25%

Total value
EUR 2,8 mil

European 
hake
13%

Ling
3%

   Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

Other
16%

Atlantic cod
25%

Total volume
2.114 tonnes

European 
hake
10%

Saithe
44%

Ling
5%

10 http://www.playasdetrafalgar.com/comer/5-delicatessen-tipicas-de-la-zona/  

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

In  France  in  January–May  2020,  first  sales  of  ling 
decreased by 38% in value and 56% in volume relative 
to  the  same  period  in  2019.  Compared  with  2018, 
value and volume fell by 34% and 54%, respectively. 
First  sales  fluctuated  throughout  the  year,  with  the 
highest  sales  occurring  in  spring  months,  and  the 
lowest sales taking place in August. 

Ling  accounted  for  6%  of  total  first-sales  value  and 
volume of groundfish sold in May 2020 (see figure 21). 

The ports of Lorient and Guilvinec in the Bay of Biscay, 
and  Boulogne-sur-Mer  in  the  English  Channel  were 
responsible  for  89%  of  total  first-sales  value  in 
January–May 2020. 

In  Spain  in  January–May  2020,  first  sales  of  ling 
increased by 7% in value due to higher average price, 
while volume fell by 20% relative to the same period 
in  2019.  Compared  with  2018,  value  rose  by  28% 
although  volume  remained  stable.  The  ling  fishery  is 
most active in spring, while low fishing activities were 
recorded in winter. 

Ling accounted for 1% of total groundfish first-sales 
value and volume sold in May 2020 (see figure 25). 

The ports of Pasaia, Burela and Ondárroa in the Bay of 
Biscay and the Iberian coast were responsible for 93% 
of total first-sales value in January–May 2020. 

Figure 29.  LING: FIRST SALES IN FRANCE 

e
m
u
o
V

l

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

1.200,00

1.000,00

800,00

600,00

400,00

200,00

0,00

l

e
u
a
V

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

2018
2017
Volume  (tonnes)

2019

2020

Value (1000 EUR)

Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

Figure 30.  LING: FIRST SALES IN SPAIN 

e
m
u
o
V

l

150

120

90

60

30

0

300,00

250,00

200,00

150,00

100,00

50,00

0,00

l

e
u
a
V

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

2017
2018
Volume  (tonnes)

2019

2020

Value (1000 EUR)

Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 FIRST SALES IN EUROPE 

Price trends 

Figure 31.  LING: FIRST-SALES PRICE IN SELECTED 

COUNTRIES 

g
k
/
R
U
E

5,00

4,00

3,00

2,00

1,00

0,00

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

2017

2018

2019

2020

Denmark

France

Spain

Source: EUMOFA (updated 20.07.2020). 

We have covered ling in previous Monthly Highlights 

First  sales:  MH  11/2017  (Denmark,  Norway,  the  United 
Kingdom), MH 10/2016 (Norway) 

the 

36-month 

observation 

period  
Over 
(June 2017–May 2020), the average first-sales price 
of ling in France was 2,63 EUR/kg, 19% higher than 
in  Denmark  (2,21  EUR/kg)  and  20%  more  than  in 
Spain (2,19 EUR/kg). 

In  Denmark  in  May  2020,  the  average  first-sales 
price of ling (1,28 EUR/kg) decreased by 30% relative 
to May 2019, and by 31% relative to May 2018.  Over 
the 36-month period, the average price varied from 
1,21  EUR/kg  for  99  tonnes  in  April  2020,  to  
3,78 EUR/kg for 70 tonnes in January 2020.  

In France in May 2020, the average first-sales price 
of  ling  (1,92  EUR/kg)  decreased  by  18%  relative  to 
May 2019, and by 6% relative to May 2018. Over the 
observed  period,  the  lowest  average  price  was 
recorded 
in  April  2019  at  1,68  EUR/kg  for  
583 tonnes. This is the period when the supply was 
the  highest  in  the  observed  timeframe.  The  highest 
average  prices  were  seen  in  January  2020  at  
4,24 EUR/kg for 210 tonnes.  

In Spain in May 2020 the average first-sales price of 
ling was 1,62 EUR/kg, 23% lower than in May 2019, 
and  27%  lower  compared  to  the  same  month  of 
2018.  The  lowest  price  in  the  observed  period  was 
recorded in May 2020 at 1,62 EUR/kg for 99 tonnes. 
The  highest  price  (3,09  EUR/kg  for  65  tonnes)  was 
observed in January 2020.  

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 EXTRA-EU IMPORTS 

2.     Extra-EU imports  

Each month, the weekly extra-EU import prices (average values per week, in EUR per kg) are examined for nine species. 
Every month, the three species that are the most relevant in terms of value and volume are examined: fresh whole Atlantic 
salmon from Norway, frozen Alaska pollock fillets from China, and frozen tropical shrimp (genus Penaeus) from Ecuador. 
The other six species change every month: three are from the commodity group of the month (in this issue, groundfish). This 
month, the featured commodity species are fresh or chilled haddock from Norway, frozen Alaska pollock from the USA, and 
cod, salted (not dried) or smoked and in brine from Norway. The remaining three species are randomly selected and, this 
month, are frozen fillets of Nile perch from Tanzania, fresh or chilled swordfish from Morocco, and live lobsters from the 
USA. 

The weekly price of fresh, whole Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, CN code 03021400) imported from Norway reached 
5,53  EUR/kg  in  week  26  (commencing  22nd  June).  This  price  decreased  from  both  the  preceding  four-week  average  
(6,18 EUR/kg) and the previous year (6,09 EUR/kg), by 10% and 9%, respectively. It was down by 5% from the previous 
week (week 25), corresponding to a 2% increase in volume. Imports in week 26 totalled 12.400 tonnes, 8% more than the 
preceding four-week average, and up by 2% from the previous year. Higher demand led to decrease in the import price. 
Over the past three years, both price and volume have exhibited a downward trend, with volume falling at a faster pace. In 
2020,  price  fluctuated  considerably,  from  a  peak  of  7,84  EUR/kg  in  week  2  (commencing  6th  January)  to  a  low  of  
4,98 EUR/kg in week 14 (week commencing 30th March).  

Figure 32.  IMPORT PRICE OF ATLANTIC SALMON, FRESH AND WHOLE FROM NORWAY 

9,00

8,00

g
k
/
R
U
E

7,00

6,00

5,00

4,00

Week 26: 
5,53 EUR/kg

/

6
2
7
1
0
2

/

0
3
7
1
0
2

/

4
3
7
1
0
2

/

8
3
7
1
0
2

/

2
4
7
1
0
2

/

6
4
7
1
0
2

/

0
5
7
1
0
2

/

2
0
8
1
0
2

/

6
0
8
1
0
2

/

0
1
8
1
0
2

/

4
1
8
1
0
2

/

8
1
8
1
0
2

/

2
2
8
1
0
2

/

6
2
8
1
0
2

/

0
3
8
1
0
2

/

4
3
8
1
0
2

/

8
3
8
1
0
2

/

2
4
8
1
0
2

/

6
4
8
1
0
2

/

0
5
8
1
0
2

/

2
0
9
1
0
2

/

6
0
9
1
0
2

/

0
1
9
1
0
2

/

4
1
9
1
0
2

/

8
1
9
1
0
2

/

2
2
9
1
0
2

/

6
2
9
1
0
2

/

0
3
9
1
0
2

/

4
3
9
1
0
2

/

8
3
9
1
0
2

/

2
4
9
1
0
2

/

6
4
9
1
0
2

/

0
5
9
1
0
2

/

2
0
0
2
0
2

/

6
0
0
2
0
2

/

0
1
0
2
0
2

/

4
1
0
2
0
2

/

8
1
0
2
0
2

/

2
2
0
2
0
2

/

6
2
0
2
0
2

Source: European Commission (updated 20.07.2020).   

For frozen fillets of Alaska pollock (Theragra chalcogramma, CN code 03047500) imported from China, the price in 
week 26 was 2,91 EUR/kg, 2% lower than the preceding four-week average (2,98 EUR/kg), and 12% higher than the same 
week in 2019 (2,61 EUR/kg). It was 3% lower than the previous week (week 25), corresponding to a 21% decrease in volume 
which can be related to the fall in demand for products imported from China during the Covid-19 outbreak. Volume totalled 
2.410 tonnes, which was 17% lower than the preceding four-week average, and 43% lower than the same week in 2019. 
Since the beginning of 2020, the price of Alaska pollock fillets has fluctuated considerably and presented a slight increasing 
trend; over the same period, volume fell. 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 EXTRA-EU IMPORTS 

Figure 33.  IMPORT PRICE OF ALASKA POLLOCK, FROZEN FILLETS FROM CHINA 

g
k
/
R
U
E

4,00

3,50

3,00

2,50

2,00

1,50

Week 26: 
2,91 EUR/kg

/

6
2
7
1
0
2

/

0
3
7
1
0
2

/

4
3
7
1
0
2

/

8
3
7
1
0
2

/

2
4
7
1
0
2

/

6
4
7
1
0
2

/

0
5
7
1
0
2

/

2
0
8
1
0
2

/

6
0
8
1
0
2

/

0
1
8
1
0
2

/

4
1
8
1
0
2

/

8
1
8
1
0
2

/

2
2
8
1
0
2

/

6
2
8
1
0
2

/

0
3
8
1
0
2

/

4
3
8
1
0
2

/

8
3
8
1
0
2

/

2
4
8
1
0
2

/

6
4
8
1
0
2

/

0
5
8
1
0
2

/

2
0
9
1
0
2

/

6
0
9
1
0
2

/

0
1
9
1
0
2

/

4
1
9
1
0
2

/

8
1
9
1
0
2

/

2
2
9
1
0
2

/

6
2
9
1
0
2

/

0
3
9
1
0
2

/

4
3
9
1
0
2

/

8
3
9
1
0
2

/

2
4
9
1
0
2

/

6
4
9
1
0
2

/

0
5
9
1
0
2

/

2
0
0
2
0
2

/

6
0
0
2
0
2

/

0
1
0
2
0
2

/

4
1
0
2
0
2

/

8
1
0
2
0
2

/

2
2
0
2
0
2

/

6
2
0
2
0
2

Source: European Commission (updated 20.07.2020). 

The price of frozen tropical shrimp (genus Penaeus, CN code 03061792) from Ecuador was 5,55 EUR/kg in week 26, 
2%  down  from  the  average  of  the  preceding  four  weeks  (5,68  EUR/kg),  and  down  9%  from  the  same  week  in  2019  
(6,11 EUR/kg). The price was 6% up from the previous week (week 25), corresponding to a 6% decrease in volume. The 
volume in week 26 (1.500 tonnes) represented an 18% increase from the previous four-week average and a 4% decrease 
from the same week in 2019. This product experienced high fluctuations in supply. Over the past three years, its price has 
exhibited  a  general  downward  trend.  In  2020,  it  fluctuated  from  5,23  EUR/kg  in  week  25  to  a  peak  of  6,29  EUR/kg  in  
week 6 (commencing 3rd February). Price was lowest in week 26 of 2020 compared with prices in week 26 of 2018 and 
2019 (5,91 EUR/kg and 6,11 EUR/kg, respectively). 

Figure 34.  IMPORT PRICE OF FROZEN TROPICAL SHRIMP FROM ECUADOR 

g
k
/
R
U
E

7,50

7,00

6,50

6,00

5,50

5,00

4,50

Week 26: 
5,55 EUR/kg

/

6
2
7
1
0
2

/

0
3
7
1
0
2

/

4
3
7
1
0
2

/

8
3
7
1
0
2

/

2
4
7
1
0
2

/

6
4
7
1
0
2

/

0
5
7
1
0
2

/

2
0
8
1
0
2

/

6
0
8
1
0
2

/

0
1
8
1
0
2

/

4
1
8
1
0
2

/

8
1
8
1
0
2

/

2
2
8
1
0
2

/

6
2
8
1
0
2

/

0
3
8
1
0
2

/

4
3
8
1
0
2

/

8
3
8
1
0
2

/

2
4
8
1
0
2

/

6
4
8
1
0
2

/

0
5
8
1
0
2

/

2
0
9
1
0
2

/

6
0
9
1
0
2

/

0
1
9
1
0
2

/

4
1
9
1
0
2

/

8
1
9
1
0
2

/

2
2
9
1
0
2

/

6
2
9
1
0
2

/

0
3
9
1
0
2

/

4
3
9
1
0
2

/

8
3
9
1
0
2

/

2
4
9
1
0
2

/

6
4
9
1
0
2

/

0
5
9
1
0
2

/

2
0
0
2
0
2

/

6
0
0
2
0
2

/

0
1
0
2
0
2

/

4
1
0
2
0
2

/

8
1
0
2
0
2

/

2
2
0
2
0
2

/

6
2
0
2
0
2

Source: European Commission (updated 20.07.2020). 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 EXTRA-EU IMPORTS 

The  price  of  fresh  or  chilled  haddock 
(Melanogrammus aeglefinus, CN code 03025200) 
imported  from  Norway  was  1,53  EUR/kg  in  
week  26.  This  was  higher  (+16%)  than  the 
preceding four-week average of 1,32 EUR/kg, and 
21%  lower  than  the  same  week  in  2019,  when 
price  was  1,94  EUR/kg.  The  spike 
in  price  
(3,06  EUR/kg  in  week  3  of  2020)  does  not 
correspond  to  the  lowest  supply.  The  volume 
recorded in week 26 (191 tonnes) was lower than 
both 
average  
(238  tonnes,  –20%),  and  the  previous  year  
(302  tonnes,  –37%).  Setting  aside  the  outlying 
spike, price fluctuated between 1,17 (week 10 of 
2020) to 2,85 EUR/kg (week 2 of 2020) and tended 
to  peak  in  mid-winter  and  decline  by  the  end  of 
spring.  Over  the  past  36  weeks,  price  decreased 
while  volume  increased.  Since  week  1  of  2020, 
price has declined sharply, while volume remained 
relatively  stable.  Denmark  and  Sweden  are  the 
EU’s top importers. 

four-week 

preceding 

the 

Figure 35.  IMPORT PRICE OF FRESH OR CHILLED HADDOCK 

FROM NORWAY 

Week 26: 
1,53 EUR/kg

g
k
/
R
U
E

5,00
4,50
4,00
3,50
3,00
2,50
2,00
1,50
1,00
0,50
0,00

/

8
2
7
1
0
2

/

5
3
7
1
0
2

/

2
4
7
1
0
2

/

9
4
7
1
0
2

/

4
0
8
1
0
2

/

1
1
8
1
0
2

/

8
1
8
1
0
2

/

5
2
8
1
0
2

/

2
3
8
1
0
2

/

9
3
8
1
0
2

/

6
4
8
1
0
2

/

1
0
9
1
0
2

/

8
0
9
1
0
2

/

5
1
9
1
0
2

/

2
2
9
1
0
2

/

9
2
9
1
0
2

/

6
3
9
1
0
2

/

3
4
9
1
0
2

/

0
5
9
1
0
2

/

5
0
0
2
0
2

/

2
1
0
2
0
2

/

9
1
0
2
0
2

/

6
2
0
2
0
2

Source: European Commission (updated 20.07.2020). 

Figure 36.  IMPORT PRICE OF FROZEN ALASKA POLLACK FROM 

THE USA 

Week 26: 
2,00 EUR/kg

g
k
/
R
U
E

3,00

2,50

2,00

1,50

1,00

0,50

0,00

/

8
2
7
1
0
2

/

5
3
7
1
0
2

/

2
4
7
1
0
2

/

9
4
7
1
0
2

/

4
0
8
1
0
2

/

1
1
8
1
0
2

/

8
1
8
1
0
2

/

5
2
8
1
0
2

/

2
3
8
1
0
2

/

9
3
8
1
0
2

/

6
4
8
1
0
2

/

1
0
9
1
0
2

/

8
0
9
1
0
2

/

5
1
9
1
0
2

/

2
2
9
1
0
2

/

9
2
9
1
0
2

/

6
3
9
1
0
2

/

3
4
9
1
0
2

/

0
5
9
1
0
2

/

5
0
0
2
0
2

/

2
1
0
2
0
2

/

9
1
0
2
0
2

/

6
2
0
2
0
2

The price of frozen Alaska pollack (Theragra 
chalcogramma,  CN  code  03049490)  from  the 
USA  was  2,00  EUR/kg  in  week  26.  This  was 
higher  than  both  the  preceding  four-week 
average (1,98 EUR/kg, +1%), and a year earlier 
(1,67  EUR/kg,  +20%).  Price  has  exhibited  an 
increasing trend over the past three years, while 
volume has decreased. The recorded volume of 
80  tonnes  in  week  26  was  significantly  lower 
than  both  the  preceding  four-week  average  
(311  tonnes,  –74%),  and  the  previous  year  
(648 tonnes, –88%). The lowest prices recorded 
in weeks 27 and 52 of 2018 (1,04 EUR/kg and 
0,45 EUR/kg respectively), were not related to an 
increase in supply, where volume was 49 tonnes 
and 0,02 tonnes, respectively. France and the UK 
were the EU’s top importers. 

Source: European Commission (updated 20.07.2020). 

For  cod,  salted  (not  dried)  or  smoked  and  in 
(Gadus  morhua,  Gadus  ogac,  Gadus 
brine 
macrocephalus,  CN  code  03056200) 
from 
Norway, the price in week 26 was 5,72 EUR/kg, 
representing a slight increase from the preceding 
four-week  average  (5,63  EUR/kg,  +1%),  and  a 
reduction  of  8% 
the  previous  year  
from 
(6,19  EUR/kg).  The  spike  in  price  (7,72  EUR/kg  in 
week 41 of 2017) corresponds to a drop in supply 
(133 tonnes) from the preceding week (week 40, in 
which  volume  was  256  tonnes).  The  recorded 
volume of 179 tonnes in week 26 was significantly 
lower 
four-week  average  
the 
(353  tonnes,  –49%),  and  the  previous  year  
(335  tonnes,  –47%).  Excluding  the  spike,  price 
fluctuated  from  4,55  (week  4  of  2018)  to  
6,82 EUR/kg (week 12 of 2020), and they exhibited 
a clear upward trend in the observed period. At the 
same  time,  supply  also  increased.  Sweden  is  the 
EU’s top importer. 

than  both 

Figure 37.  IMPORT PRICE OF SALTED OR SMOKED AND IN 

BRINE COD FROM NORWAY 

Week 26: 
5,72 EUR/kg

g
k
/
R
U
E

8,50
8,00
7,50
7,00
6,50
6,00
5,50
5,00
4,50
4,00

/

8
2
7
1
0
2

/

5
3
7
1
0
2

/

2
4
7
1
0
2

/

9
4
7
1
0
2

/

4
0
8
1
0
2

/

1
1
8
1
0
2

/

8
1
8
1
0
2

/

5
2
8
1
0
2

/

2
3
8
1
0
2

/

9
3
8
1
0
2

/

6
4
8
1
0
2

/

1
0
9
1
0
2

/

8
0
9
1
0
2

/

5
1
9
1
0
2

/

2
2
9
1
0
2

/

9
2
9
1
0
2

/

6
3
9
1
0
2

/

3
4
9
1
0
2

/

0
5
9
1
0
2

/

5
0
0
2
0
2

/

2
1
0
2
0
2

/

9
1
0
2
0
2

/

6
2
0
2
0
2

Source: European Commission (updated 20.07.2020). 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8 2020 
 EXTRA-EU IMPORTS 

Figure 38.  IMPORT PRICE OF FROZEN FILLETS OF NILE PERCH 

FROM TANZANIA 

Week 26: 
5,72 EUR/kg

g
k
/
R
U
E

7,00
6,50
6,00
5,50
5,00
4,50
4,00
3,50
3,00
2,50
2,00

/

8
2
7
1
0
2

/

5
3
7
1
0
2

/

2
4
7
1
0
2

/

9
4
7
1
0
2

/

4
0
8
1
0
2

/

1
1
8
1
0
2

/

8
1
8
1
0
2

/

5
2
8
1
0
2

/

2
3
8
1
0
2

/

9
3
8
1
0
2

/

6
4
8
1
0
2

/

1
0
9
1
0
2

/

8
0
9
1
0
2

/

5
1
9
1
0
2

/

2
2
9
1
0
2

/

9
2
9
1
0
2

/

6
3
9
1
0
2

/

3
4
9
1
0
2

/

0
5
9
1
0
2

/

5
0
0
2
0
2

/

2
1
0
2
0
2

/

9
1
0
2
0
2

/

6
2
0
2
0
2

The price of frozen fillets of Nile perch (Lates 
niloticus,  CN  code  03046300)  from  Tanzania 
was  5,72  EUR/kg  in  week  26;    significantly 
higher  than  both  the  preceding  four-week 
average (4,07 EUR/kg, +41%), and a year earlier 
(3,16  EUR/kg,  +81%).  Price  and  volume  exhibit 
high weekly fluctuations, and the peak in price in 
week 26 of 2020 does not correspond to a drop 
in supply. Both price and volume have exhibited 
a  decreasing  trend  over  the  past  three  years. 
However,  since  week  1  of  2020,  the  previously 
downward price trend has reversed, while supply 
exhibited a slight downward trend. The recorded 
volume  of  179  tonnes  was  significantly  higher 
than 
average  
(37 tonnes, +377%), and down from the previous 
year 
the 
Netherlands,  and  Greece  are  the  EU’s  top 
importers. 

tonnes,  –16%). 

four-week 

preceding 

  Spain, 

(213 

the 

Source: European Commission (updated 20.07.2020). 

The price of fresh or chilled swordfish (Xiphias 
gladius,  CN  code  03024700)  from  Morocco 
reached 9,15 EUR/kg in week 26. This was slightly 
higher  than  the  preceding  three-week  average 
(9,03 EUR/kg, +1%), and up 45% from a year earlier 
(when  price  was  6,30  EUR/kg).  Price  and  volume 
were sporadic and exhibit high weekly fluctuations, 
and the majority of prices ranged between 4,00 and 
8,00 EUR/kg. Price has exhibited an increasing trend 
over  the  past  three  years,  while  volume  has 
decreased slightly. The recorded volume of 4 tonnes 
in  week  26  was  down  88%  from  the  preceding 
three-week  average  (32  tonnes)  and  significantly 
higher  than  the  previous  year  (1  tonne,  +213%).  
Spain is the EU’s sole importer of this product. 

Figure 39.  IMPORT PRICE OF FRESH OR CHILLED 

SWORDFISH FROM MOROCCO 

16,00

14,00

12,00

Week 26: 
9,15 EUR/kg

10,00

g
k
/
R
U
E

8,00

6,00

4,00

2,00

/

8
2
7
1
0
2

/

5
3
7
1
0
2

/

2
4
7
1
0
2

/

9
4
7
1
0
2

/

4
0
8
1
0
2

/

1
1
8
1
0
2

/

8
1
8
1
0
2

/

5
2
8
1
0
2

/

2
3
8
1
0
2

/

9
3
8
1
0
2

/

6
4
8
1
0
2

/

1
0
9
1
0
2

/

8
0
9
1
0
2

/

5
1
9
1
0
2

/

2
2
9
1
0
2

/

9
2
9
1
0
2

/

6
3
9
1
0
2

/

3
4
9
1
0
2

/

0
5
9
1
0
2

/

5
0
0
2
0
2

/

2
1
0
2
0
2

/

9
1
0
2
0
2

/

6
2
0
2
0
2

Source: European Commission (updated 20.07.2020). 

Figure 40.  IMPORT PRICE OF LIVE LOBSTERS FROM THE USA 

Week 26: 
13,70 EUR/kg

g
k
/
R
U
E

24,00

22,00

20,00

18,00

16,00

14,00

12,00

10,00

8,00

/

8
2
7
1
0
2

/

5
3
7
1
0
2

/

2
4
7
1
0
2

/

9
4
7
1
0
2

/

4
0
8
1
0
2

/

1
1
8
1
0
2

/

8
1
8
1
0
2

/

5
2
8
1
0
2

/

2
3
8
1
0
2

/

9
3
8
1
0
2

/

6
4
8
1
0
2

/

1
0
9
1
0
2

/

8
0
9
1
0
2

/

5
1
9
1
0
2

/

2
2
9
1
0
2

/

9
2
9
1
0
2

/

6
3
9
1
0
2

/

3
4
9
1
0
2

/

0
5
9
1
0
2

/

5
0
0
2
0
2

/

2
1
0
2
0
2

/

9
1
0
2
0
2

/

6
2
0
2
0
2

from 

oscillated 

The  price  of  live  lobsters  (Homarus spp.,  CN 
code  03063210), 
the  USA  was  
from 
13,70 EUR/kg in week 26. This was 9% up from 
the preceding four-week average (12,52 EUR/kg), 
the  previous  year  
and  5%  down 
from  
Price 
(14,46 
EUR/kg). 
11,54  (week  43  of  2017)  to  24,14  EUR/kg  
(week  13  of  2018)  and  exhibited  a  generally 
increasing  trend  over  the  past  three  years, 
parallel to a decrease in supply. Price and volume 
exhibit weekly fluctuations and the spike in price 
is  not  related  to  a  decrease  in  supply  from  the 
preceding  week.  The 
recorded  volume  of  
10 tonnes in week 26 was lower from both the 
preceding four-week average (13 tonnes, –20%) 
and the previous year (21 tonnes, –51%).  Italy is 
the EU’s top importer. 

Source: European Commission (updated 20.07.2020). 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

CONSUMPTION 

3.     Consumption 

3.1.  HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION IN THE EU 

In May 2020, relative to May 2019, the household consumption of fresh fisheries and aquaculture products increased in 
both volume and value in most of the EU Member States analysed. However, consumption decreased in both volume and 
value in Hungary, Italy, and Poland.  

The drop seen in Italy was mainly due to reduced consumption of anchovy and octopus (-21% and -35%, respectively).  

On the other hand, a rise in cod and salmon consumption (+111% and 40%, respectively) contributed to the increases seen 
in Sweden, while salmon and trout were the primary drivers for increased consumption in Germany (+56% each). 

Table 3.  MAY OVERVIEW OF THE REPORTING COUNTRIES (volume in tonnes and value in million EUR) 

Per capita 
consumption 
2017* 
(live weight 
equivalent, 
LWE) 
kg/capita/year 

May 2018 

May 2019 

May 2020 

May 2020 

Change from 
May 2019 to 
May 2020 

Volume 

Value 

Volume  

Value 

Volume  

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

27,0 

33,7 

13,4 

5,6 

23,0 

30,9 

21,1 

15,0 

56,8 

45,6 

26,6 

905 

13,77 

977 

15,74 

1.304 

21,76 

1.179 

20,27 

14.270 

169,95 

15.145 

193,74 

12.821 

180,76 

15.973 

204,64 

4.251 

62,31 

4.076 

64,31 

6.042 

100,98 

5.448 

88,50 

302 

1,58 

348 

2,36 

414 

2,18 

292 

1,45 

920 

13,08 

958 

14,23 

981 

14,83 

1.009 

15,34 

24.971 

246,83 

26.171 

263,69 

19.753 

207,52 

24.254 

251,14 

2.285 

38,99 

2.199 

38,01 

2.647 

48,22 

2.555 

44,68 

2.884 

17,58 

3.870 

25,75 

3.248 

21,01 

3.195 

21,60 

3810 

24,25 

5.670 

35,55 

6.891 

48,59 

6.812 

43,89 

50.775 

380,69 

50.336 

403,61 

59.159 

496,98 

60.770 

501,03 

564 

7,65 

725 

9,67 

951 

12,25 

1.038 

12,83 

21% 

29% 

5% 

6% 

  34% 

16% 

5% 

7% 

16% 

17% 

38% 

39% 

8% 

5% 

18% 

16% 

20% 

23% 

21% 

43% 

24% 

33% 

Country 

Denmark 

France 

Germany 

Hungary 

Ireland 

Italy 

Netherlands 

Poland 

Portugal 

Spain 

Sweden 

Source: EUMOFA, based on Europanel (updated 16.07.2020).  
* Data on per capita consumption of all fish and seafood products for all EU Member States can be found at:  
https://eumofa.eu/documents/20178/157549/EN_The+EU+fish+market_2020.pdf 

Over the past three years, the average household consumption of fresh fisheries and aquaculture products in May has been 
below the annual average in both volume and value in most of the EU Member States analysed. The only exceptions were 
seen in Denmark, Portugal, and Spain, where the opposite trend was observed, and in Germany where value was lower but 
volume was higher than average in May. 

The most recent weekly consumption data (up to week 32 of 2020) are available on the EUMOFA website, and can 
be accessed here. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

CONSUMPTION 

European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

3.2. 

Fresh hake 

Habitat: A demersal species, inhabiting waters between 75 and 
400 m, living close to the seabed11. 
Catch and production areas: North Sea, Skagerrak, and off 
the  Atlantic  coasts  of  the  UK,  Ireland  and  France,  Spain  and 
Portugal, western North Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, and the 
south coast of the Black Sea12.  
Producing countries in the EU: Spain, France, Portugal. 
Production method: Caught. 
Main consumers in the EU: Spain, France, Portugal.  
Presentation: Whole gutted, filleted.  
Preservation: Fresh, frozen. 
Means of preparation: Grilled, baked. 

3.2.1.  General overview of household consumption in France, Ireland, and Italy 

France and Italy are among the EU Member States with the highest per capita apparent consumption13 of fisheries and 
aquaculture products. In 2017, this amounted to 33,7 kg and 30,9 kg per capita, respectively. French consumption was 
39% higher than the EU average of 24,3 kg per capita, while in Italy it was 27% lower. Relative to 2016, apparent 
consumption in France increased by 1,5%. In Italy, it decreased by 0,6%. 

Per capita apparent consumption of fisheries and aquaculture products in Ireland was 5% below the EU average in 2017 
(23,0 kg). Compared to Portugal, the Member State with the highest per capita apparent consumption (56,8 kg), Ireland 
was 60% lower. However, Ireland was the only Member State whose consumption remained stable relative to 2016. See 
more on per capita apparent consumption in the EU in Table 3. 

Over  the  past  three  years,  household  consumption  of  fresh  hake  in  Italy  was  nearly  four  times  higher  than  that  of 
France. Ireland exhibited the lowest consumption of the three countries analysed. However, Irish consumers spent the 
most  for  a  kilogram  of  fresh  hake  (12,11  EUR/kg  on  average),  19%  more  than  that  spent  by  consumers  in  Italy  
(10,20 EUR/kg on average) and 12% more than in France (10,77 EUR/kg). 

We have covered hake in previous Monthly Highlights: 

First sales: France 2/2018, 1/2016; Greece 7/2016, 3/2014; Italy 2/2018, Portugal 5/2015; Spain 2/2018. 

Consumption: France 9/2018,  9/2016,  4/2016,  7/2015,  6/2014; Greece 9/2016,  4/2016,  7/2015; Ireland 
9/2016; Italy 7/2015,  6/2014; Portugal 9/2018,  9/2016,  4/2016,  6/2014; Spain 9/2018,   9/2016,  4/2016,  
7/2015,  6/2014; Sweden 6/2014; the UK 6/2014. 

Extra-EU  Import:  Chile  4/2020,    6/2018;  Namibia  1/2020,  6/2019,  1/2018;  South  Africa  5/2019,  6/2018 
2/2018, 1/2018; Norway 1/2019. 

Topic of the month: First sales of European hake in major places of sale 7/2019; Hake in Spain 8/2015;  Hake in 
France 2/2015. 

11 https://www.eumofa.eu/documents/20178/132584/MH+9+2018+EN.pdf 
12 http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2238/en 
13 "Apparent consumption" is calculated by using the supply balance sheet that provides an estimate of the supply of fisheries and aquaculture products 
available for human consumption at EU level. The calculation of the supply balance sheet is based on the equation: Apparent consumption = [(total catches – 
industrial catches) + aquaculture + imports] – exports. Catches targeted for fishmeal (industrial catches) are excluded. Non-food use products are also 
excluded from imports and exports. 

 
 
 
 
 
                             
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

CONSUMPTION 

Figure 41.  PRICES OF FRESH HAKE PURCHASED BY HOUSEHOLDS 

16,00

14,00

12,00

10,00

8,00

6,00

)
g
k
/
R
U
E
(

e
c
i
r
P

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

2017

2018

2019

2020

France

Ireland

Italy

Source: EUMOFA, based on Europanel (updated 22.05.2020). 

Figure 42.  HOUSEHOLD PURCHASES OF FRESH HAKE 

1.800

1.500

1.200

900

600

300

0

s
e
n
n
o
T

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

u
J

p
e
S

v
o
N

n
a
J

r
a
M

y
a
M

2017

2018

2019

2020

France

Ireland

Italy

Source: EUMOFA based on Europanel (updated 22.05.2020). 

3.2.2.   Consumption trends in France 

Long-term trend (January 2017 to May 2020): Increasing in price and decreasing in volume. 
Yearly average price: 10,72 EUR/kg (2017), 10,47 EUR/kg (2018), 10,80 EUR/kg (2019). 
Yearly consumption: 3.813 tonnes (2017), 3.622 tonnes (2018), 3.356 tonnes (2019). 
Short-term trend (January 2020 to May 2020): Seasonal decrease in price and increase in volume. 
Average price: 11,52 EUR/kg. 
Average consumption: 1.536 tonnes. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

CONSUMPTION 

Figure 43.  RETAIL PRICE AND VOLUME OF FRESH HAKE PURCHASED BY HOUSEHOLDS IN FRANCE 

In January 2020, prices peaked at 
13,02 EUR/kg, the highest recorded for the 
period, and 18% higher than January 2019.

In the first five months of 2020, 
consumption decreased by 5% relative 
to the same period in 2019. 

e
m
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l

540

450

360

270

180

90

0

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F

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J

l

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u
A

p
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S

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D

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F

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a
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A

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a
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J

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A

p
e
S

t
c
O

v
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N

c
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D

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a
J

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e
F

r
a
M

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p
A

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a
M

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n
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u
A

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S

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o
N

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e
D

n
a
J

b
e
F

r
a
M

r
p
A

y
a
M

2017

2018

2019

2020

Volume (tonnes)

Price (EUR/kg)

Source: EUMOFA, based on Europanel (updated 22.05.2020). 

3.2.3.   Consumption trends in Ireland 

Long-term trend (January 2017 to May 2020): Increasing in price and decreasing in volume. 
Yearly average price: 11,71 EUR/kg (2017), 11,94 EUR/kg (2018), 12,34 EUR/kg (2019). 
Yearly consumption: 952 tonnes (2017), 880 tonnes (2018), 818 tonnes (2019). 
Short-term trend (January 2020 to May 2020): Seasonal increase in both price and volume. 
Average price: 12,90 EUR/kg. 
Average consumption: 275 tonnes. 

Figure 44.  RETAIL PRICE AND VOLUME OF FRESH HAKE PURCHASED BY HOUSEHOLDS IN IRELAND 

Over the past two years, the lowest 
consumption volumes were recorded in 
December and January with an average of 34 
tonnes, or 45% lower that the yearly average.

In April 2020 retail price 
increased by 73% relative to 
March 2020 but decreased by 
8% relative to April 2019.

200

160

120

80

40

0

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A

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N

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D

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F

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A

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J

l

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A

p
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S

t
c
O

v
o
N

c
e
D

n
a
J

b
e
F

r
a
M

r
p
A

y
a
M

e
n
u
J

y
l
u
J

g
u
A

p
e
S

t
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v
o
N

c
e
D

n
a
J

b
e
F

r
a
M

r
p
A

y
a
M

2017

2018

Volume (tonnes)

2019

Price (EUR/kg)

2020

Source: EUMOFA, based on Europanel (updated 22.05.2020). 

25,00

20,00

15,00

10,00

5,00

0,00

e
c
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35,00

30,00

25,00

20,00

15,00

e
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10,00

5,00

0,00

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

CONSUMPTION 

3.2.4.  Consumption trends in Italy 

Long-term trend (January 2017 to May 2020): Increasing in price and decreasing in volume. 
Yearly average price: 9,92 EUR/kg (2017), 10,21 EUR/kg (2018), 10,23 EUR/kg (2019). 
Yearly consumption: 14.088 tonnes (2017), 13.375 tonnes (2018), 13.151 tonnes (2019). 
Short-term  trend (January 2020 to May 2020): Seasonal increase in both price and volume. 
Average price: 10,76 EUR/kg. 
Average consumption: 4.844 tonnes. 

Figure 45.  RETAIL PRICE AND VOLUME OF FRESH HAKE PURCHASED BY HOUSEHOLDS IN ITALY 

Over the past three years, 2019 saw 
the highest prices. Compared to 2017,  
they were 3% higher on average.

In April and May 2020, consumption volume 
decreased to 889 tonnes on average, or 14% 
lower compared to the same period in 2019.

e
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2.400
2.100
1.800
1.500
1.200
900
600
300
0

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a
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r
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A

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A

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D

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a
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F

r
a
M

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A

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l
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A

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N

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D

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a
J

b
e
F

r
a
M

r
p
A

y
a
M

2017

2018

2019

2020

Volume (tonnes)

Price (EUR/kg)

Source: EUMOFA, based on Europanel (updated 22.05.2020).

15,00

12,00

9,00

6,00

3,00

0,00

e
c
i
r
P

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

CASE STUDY 

4.    Case study – Fisheries and aquaculture in Thailand 

4.1. 

Introduction 

Thailand  is  a  kingdom  located  in  Southeast  Asia,  bordering  Cambodia,  Myanmar, 
Burma and Malaysia. The country’s long coastline extends along the Gulf of Thailand 
in the east, and the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) in the west, with several territorial 
islands close to its shore. 

The population of Thailand is approximately 70 million people (2020) 14. As a coastal 
state, the seafood industry plays a particularly important role: it is estimated that 
more than 650.000 people worked in the seafood industry in 2017 15, and the low 
price of seafood means that it is the most accessible source of animal protein for 
the country's citizens16. 

The  majority  of  Thailand’s  seafood  production  is  derived  from  fisheries,  with 
aquaculture  accounting  for  roughly  35%  of  total  production.  Despite  producing 
lower  volumes,  aquaculture  dominates  in  terms  of  value.  Marine  species  are  the 
most  important  for  both  capture  and  aquaculture17  with  tuna  and  shrimp  as  the 
primary contributors for capture and aquaculture production, respectively. In terms 
of trade, Thailand ranks amongst the top 10 seafood trading countries in the world, 
in terms of both imports and exports 18. 

Thailand’s fishing industry is dominated by small-scale, artisanal vessels. 
Similarly, the country’s aquaculture industry has a fragmented infrastructure 
which is largely comprised of small operations. 

Source: World Factbook    

4.2. 

Fisheries and aquaculture 

Total volume of wild catch steadily increased from 
1958 until the year 2000, when the trend began to 
decline. Volume of wild catch has since continued 
to  decrease.  Conversely,  production 
the 
aquaculture  sector  remained  stable  until  1988 
when volume began to increase. The trend peaked 
in  2010,  after  which  total  production  volume  fell 
by 30%.  

in 

Figure 46.  WILD CATCH AND AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION IN 

THAILAND (volume in 1.000 tonnes) 

s
e
n
n
o
t
0
0
0
1

.

 3.500

 3.000

 2.500

 2.000

 1.500

 1.000

 500

 -

       Source: FAO. 

8
5
9
1

3
6
9
1

8
6
9
1

3
7
9
1

8
7
9
1

3
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1

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1

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9
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1

3
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2

8
0
0
2

3
1
0
2

8
1
0
2

Fisheries

Aquaculture

14 https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/thailand-population/  
15 http://www.seafdec.org/fisheries-country-profile-thailand/  
16 Ibidem. 
17 http://www.seafdec.org/fisheries-country-profile-thailand/  
18 https://research.rabobank.com/far/en/sectors/animal-protein/world-seafood-trade-map.html   

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

CASE STUDY 

Overfishing could be identified as a possible cause for the decline in production volume. Poorly regulated fishing has resulted 
in limited stock sizes for several main commercial species19 (MCS), which in turn has reduced catch sizes from the year 
2000  onwards.  In  the  absence  of  large  catch  volumes  from  fisheries,  the  aquaculture  sector  has  flourished,  gradually 
supplying larger quantities which have stabilised in recent years.  

Fisheries 

According to FAO, the total volume from wild catch in Thailand in 2018 was 1,71 million tonnes. From 2014 to 2018 the 
total  annual  volume  of  wild  catch  remained  relatively  stable,  yielding  a  modest  increase  of  roughly  2%  throughout  the 
period. Marine fishes nei (‘not elsewhere included’), anchovies, and freshwater species nei were the largest categories in 
terms of volume20. 

Table 4.  WILD CATCH IN THAILAND, MAIN SPECIES (volume in 1.000 tonnes) 

Species 

Marine fishes nei 

Anchovy 

Freshwater fishes nei 

Common squid nei 

Indian scad 

Carangidae 

Sardinella 

Indian mackerel 

Other species 

Total 

Source: FAO. 

2014 

459 

128 

94 

68 

36 

44 

75 

50 

716 

1.670 

2015 

406 

102 

97 

68 

40 

51 

81 

47 

610 

1.502 

2016 

389 

130 

98 

86 

55 

68 

73 

50 

583 

1.532 

2017 

371 

121 

96 

68 

56 

97 

72 

49 

570 

1.500 

2018 

448 

165 

98 

87 

83 

83 

79 

66 

599 

1.708 

Historically, Thailand’s fisheries sector has faced problems as a result of overfishing and conflict between fishermen over 
limited fish stocks.  Elevated costs of labour and fuel, in conjunction with low bargaining power, lead to reduced profitability 
and further exacerbate the situation.  

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a significant problem in Thailand. This leads to over-exploited fish stocks 
and has resulted in restrictions being imposed for several species. In 2015, the European Union issued a warning that they 
would impose a trade ban if Thai authorities did not take action against IUU fishing. The EU subsequently issued a “yellow 
card”, highlighting that Thailand was not taking sufficient steps to combat IUU fishing. This may have led to a trade ban if 
the necessary measures were not implemented within the set period.  

Following improvements to fishing regulation and enforcement, the EU rescinded the yellow card21. Such improvements 
heralded benefits to the industry as a whole, and could continue to change market dynamics and improve the sustainability 
of threatened species (e.g. tuna)22.  

Aquaculture 

In  2018,  Thailand’s  aquaculture  production  surpassed  890.000  tonnes,  according  to  FAO.  From  2014  to  2016,  total 
aquaculture production in Thailand increased by 7%. Conversely, the period from 2017 to 2018 yielded a decrease of 8% 
in total production. Overall, total production of aquaculture products has slightly decreased from 2014 to 2018 in terms of 
volume. The most heavily-farmed species in Thailand is whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), which accounted for 39% 
of total production in 2018, followed by Nile tilapia and African bighead catfish.  

19 EUMOFA aggregation for species (Metadata 2, Annex 3: https://eumofa.eu/supply-balance-and-other-methodologies) 
20 The first and the latter are general categories for various types of species, which is “not elsewhere included”, thereof nei.  
21 https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press/commission-lifts-%E2%80%9Cyellow-card%E2%80%9D-thailand-its-actions-against-illegal-fishing_en  
22 http://agri.eco.ku.ac.th/cv_detail/Kulapa_Supongpa_%20Kuldilok_s_Thesis.pdf 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

CASE STUDY 

Table 5.  AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION IN THAILAND, MAIN SPECIES (volume in 1.000 tonnes) 

Species 

Whiteleg shrimp 

Nile tilapia 

African  bighead  catfish 
(hybrid) 23 
Green mussel 

Blood cockle 

Silver barb 

Giant river prawn 

Barramundi 

Other species 

Total 

Source: FAO. 

2014 

2015 

2016 

263 

190 

114 

117 

54 

29 

17 

17 

98 

899 

282 

203 

109 

116 

59 

30 

16 

17 

88 

920 

314 

208 

112 

115 

62 

31 

15 

18 

88 

963 

2017 

346 

218 

105 

50 

26 

24 

21 

20 

83 

2018 

347 

211 

112 

45 

27 

25 

22 

20 

81 

893 

890 

Production volume of whiteleg shrimp has fluctuated since farming began in the early 2000s. In 2012, the shrimp industry 
experienced an extensive disease outbreak. This led to a stock reduction of over 50% and caused closures to aquaculture 
sites  used  for  shrimp  farming.  The  mortality  from  disease  and  reduced  stocking,  combined  with  export  bans  and 
unfavourable trade terms reduced Thailand’s production by more than half in 2013 and 201424. In 2014, the Seafood Task 
Force, an international industry coalition, was formed to lead Thailand’s seafood supply chain toward a more sustainable 
pathway25.  In  2016,  the  first  whiteleg  shrimp  farm  in  Thailand  was  granted  Aquaculture  Stewardship  Council  (ASC) 
certification 26.  Since  then,  an  additional  eight  farms  have  received  ASC  certification 27,  indicating  an  increased  focus  on 
sustainably-farmed prawns with reduced impact on crucial habitats. 

Whiteleg shrimp accounts for a significant portion of total 
aquaculture  production  in  Thailand,  meaning  that  total 
production volumes from aquaculture are highly correlated 
with the welfare of the shrimp farming industry. Prevalence 
of  disease  in  aquaculture  has  caused  issues  in  the  long 
term,  and  was  a  key  driver  behind  industry  players 
switching  production  from  giant  tiger  prawn  (Penaeus 
monodon) to whiteleg shrimp 28.  

Figure 47.  COMPARISON OF WHITELEG SHRIMP 
FARMING AND TOTAL AQUACULTURE 
PRODUCTION IN THAILAND (volume in  
1000 tonnes) 

s
e
n
n
o
t
0
0
0
1

.

1600

1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

)

%

(

l

a
t
o
t

f
o

e
r
a
h
S

Whiteleg shrimp
Share of total

 Aquaculture

Source: FAO, Kontali. 

23 The African bighead catfish is a hybrid between North African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and bighead catfish (C. macrocephalus). 
24 https://media-publications.bcg.com/BCG-A-Strategic-Approach-to-Sustainable-Shrimp-Production-Thailand-July-2019.pdf   
25 Ibidem 
26 https://www.asc-aqua.org/news/latest-news/asc-welcomes-first-certified-shrimp-farm-in-thailand/  
27 https://www.asc-aqua.org/find-a-farm/ 
28 https://www.aquaculturealliance.org/advocate/thailands-white-shrimp-revolution/  

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

4.3. 

Imports 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

CASE STUDY 

In  2019,  imports  of  fisheries  and  aquaculture  products  to  Thailand  amounted  to  1,98  million  tonnes  with  a  value  of  
EUR 3,35 billion. The most imported species was skipjack tuna (486.075 tonnes, valued at EUR 604 million). Salmon was 
the second most imported species, coming primarily from Norway and Chile.  

A large proportion of skipjack tuna imports come as landings by foreign vessels from Taiwan, South Korea, and The Federal 
States of Micronesia. It is imported to Thailand for processing (canning) before being re-exported. Total imports of tuna by 
tuna canning factories is estimated to amount to 700.000-800.000 tonnes annually29.  

Table 6. 

IMPORTS TO THAILAND BY SPECIES (volume in 1000 tonnes, value in million EUR) 

Main commercial species  Volume  Value  Volume  Value  Volume  Value  Volume  Value  Volume  Value 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

Tuna, skipjack 

Salmon 

Tuna, albacore 

Tuna, miscellaneous 

Tuna, yellowfin 

Mackerel 

Other 

Total 

Source: EUMOFA. 

479 

48 

34 

38 

127 

94 

777 

514 

192 

93 

102 

161 

78 

1.185 

529 

40 

38 

52 

122 

114 

951 

681 

194 

100 

133 

181 

102 

475 

49 

44 

50 

123 

88 

748 

262 

115 

109 

227 

86 

588 

47 

47 

54 

105 

105 

754 

259 

133 

127 

174 

100 

486 

54 

53 

69 

84 

119 

604 

288 

187 

164 

145 

139 

1.461 

1.095 

1.688 

1.180 

1.839 

1.118 

1.826 

1.597 

2.325 

1.846 

2.852 

1.923 

3.236 

2.125 

3.387 

1.983 

3.352 

China,  Vietnam,  Taiwan,  India, and  Norway  are  the  top  five  countries  in  terms  of  import  value  to  Thailand.  Norway  and 
Taiwan provide salmon and skipjack tuna, while China supplies substantial volumes of cephalopods and mackerel. Vietnam 
is the second largest supplier to Thailand, mainly exporting various types of marine fishes and freshwater catfish.  

Table 7. 

IMPORTS TO THAILAND BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN (volume in 1000 tonnes, value in million EUR) 

Country 

China 

Vietnam 

Taiwan 

India 

Norway 

Japan 

Myanmar 

Korea, South 

United States 

Pakistan 

Other countries 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

238 

101 

145 

57 

27 

111 

60 

91 

126 

26 

614 

348 

212 

181 

121 

99 

151 

29 

110 

190 

47 

838 

266 

146 

152 

77 

29 

86 

253 

98 

104 

27 

605 

424 

271 

225 

168 

132 

133 

103 

174 

184 

52 

984 

198 

130 

129 

128 

28 

94 

325 

71 

108 

48 

664 

364 

256 

232 

243 

143 

151 

143 

183 

212 

76 

194 

127 

136 

150 

31 

149 

328 

88 

94 

56 

358 

275 

218 

295 

148 

205 

156 

188 

210 

98 

206 

129 

133 

91 

37 

128 

330 

102 

77 

78 

407 

279 

221 

218 

199 

195 

184 

172 

167 

150 

1.231 

772 

1.236 

671 

1.160 

Total 

1.597 

2.325 

1.846 

2.852 

1.923 

3.236 

2.125 

3.387 

1.983 

3.352 

Source: EUMOFA. 

29 http://www.fao.org/fishery/facp/THA/en  

30 

 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

4.4.  Processing 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

CASE STUDY 

The fish processing industry in Thailand has grown in recent years, and a significant amount of the country’s population is 
employed in processing plants (184.000 people)30. The most common plants are small and traditional, and freezing and 
canning are the main methods used 31.  

Large volumes of seafood imported to Thailand are processed before being re-exported (primarily tuna)32.  

According to the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO), recent improvements have been made to working 
conditions in Thailand’s fishing and seafood processing sectors. Such changes may be a result of EU pressure on Thailand 
regarding  IUU  fishing 33,  although  the  ILO  did  find  some  outstanding  issues  regarding  forced  labour,  indicating  that  the 
industry still has areas for improvement34.  

4.5.  Exports 

Two major MCS, namely miscellaneous tuna and miscellaneous shrimp, accounted for 67% of total export value and 55% 
of total export volume from Thailand in 2019.  

Table 8. 

EXPORTS FROM THAILAND BY SPECIES (volume in 1000 tonnes, value in million EUR) 

Main commercial species  Volume  Value  Volume  Value  Volume  Value  Volume  Value  Volume  Value 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

Tuna, miscellaneous 

Shrimp, miscellaneous 

Salmon 
Miscellaneous small 
pelagics 
Fishmeal 

Mackerel 

Other 

Total 

Source: EUMOFA. 

566 

170 

25 

76 

156 

36 

447 

1.802 

1.479 

179 

145 

184 

74 

1.205 

565 

207 

22 

56 

154 

30 

403 

1.821 

1.763 

148 

110 

157 

67 

489 

213 

22 

53 

79 

27 

1.845 

1.807 

164 

101 

78 

59 

1.184 

396 

1.209 

518 

188 

17 

65 

105 

33 

388 

1.938 

1.527 

144 

125 

109 

75 

1.161 

537 

180 

20 

61 

108 

33 

366 

1.970 

1.491 

162 

137 

102 

101 

1.184 

1.476 

5.069 

1.437 

5.251 

1.278 

5.262 

1.313 

5.080 

1.305 

5.147 

Thailand’s main export markets are the United States and Japan, which together accounted for 29% of export volume and 
42% of export value in 2019. These two markets are followed by China, accounting for 10% of export volume and 9% of 
export value. According to Thailand’s export statistics, the EU accounted for 4% of the export volume and 5% of the value 
in 2019.  

30 http://www.seafdec.org/fisheries-country-profile-thailand/  
31 http://www.fao.org/fishery/facp/THA/en  
32 Ibidem.  
33 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_19_61  
34 https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/environment-sustainability/ilo-finds-improvements-in-thailand-seafood-sector  

31 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

CASE STUDY 

Table 9. 

EXPORTS FROM THAILAND BY DESTINATION COUNTRY (volume in 1000 tonnes, value in million EUR) 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

Country 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

United States 

Japan 

China 

Australia 

Canada 

Libya 

Saudi Arabia 

South Korea 

Egypt 

Italy 

196 

205 

109 

60 

44 

21 

35 

28 

73 

30 

1.139 

1.003 

201 

267 

214 

67 

106 

145 

160 

120 

202 

195 

119 

65 

48 

30 

33 

24 

63 

26 

1.236 

1.043 

201 

175 

1.284 

1.029 

224 

286 

242 

97 

101 

130 

144 

126 

83 

66 

42 

24 

27 

26 

30 

22 

215 

314 

228 

87 

92 

158 

73 

118 

183 

186 

105 

68 

42 

25 

44 

25 

52 

21 

1.031 

1.033 

318 

313 

205 

93 

123 

148 

139 

109 

190 

192 

136 

59 

39 

38 

44 

21 

47 

20 

1.075 

1.062 

450 

280 

200 

134 

129 

126 

124 

113 

Other countries 

674 

1.648 

632 

1.622 

582 

1.664 

562 

1.568 

517 

1.454 

Total 

1.476 

5.069 

1.437 

5.251 

1.278 

5.262 

1.313 

5.080 

1.305 

5.147 

Source: EUMOFA. 

4.6.  EU-28 imports from Thailand 

EU imports from Thailand amounted to 63.000 tonnes in 2019, with a value of EUR 324 million. Squid (mainly frozen) was 
the most imported MCS in terms of value and was primarily imported by Italy (91% of the total value). In terms of volume, 
skipjack tuna was the largest MCS (and the second largest in terms of value). The United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands, 
France and Sweden were the main importers of skipjack tuna, respectively accounting for 28%, 15%, 14%, 10%, and 9% 
of the total volume. 

Table 10.  EU-28 IMPORTS FROM THAILAND, BY SPECIES (volume in 1000 tonnes, value in million EUR) 

Main commercial species 

Volume  Value  Volume  Value  Volume  Value  Volume  Value  Volume  Value 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

Squid 

Tuna, skipjack 

Shrimp, warmwater 

Shrimp, miscellaneous 

Surimi 

Tuna, miscellaneous 

Other 

Total 

Source: EUMOFA. 

17 

34 

3 

6 

10 

15 

28 

114 

85 

124 

28 

66 

27 

46 

112 

489 

16 

29 

3 

5 

9 

9 

24 

96 

95 

106 

30 

52 

23 

31 

96 

433 

15 

23 

3 

4 

9 

8 

20 

83 

107 

104 

30 

44 

24 

28 

78 

415 

13 

16 

3 

4 

10 

7 

20 

72 

85 

74 

27 

36 

24 

24 

81 

351 

13 

14 

3 

3 

9 

6 

16 

63 

87 

64 

29 

27 

23 

22 

71 

324 

Table 11 depicts the preservation state of the various species and products exported to the EU from Thailand. The majority 
of products are prepared/preserved or frozen. Prepared products include various types of cuts, fillets, or packaging states 
(e.g. canned tuna). 

32 

 
 
 
 
  
 
  
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CASE STUDY 

Table 11.  EXPORTS FROM THAILAND TO EU-28 MEMBER STATES, BY PRESERVATION STATE (volume in  

1000 tonnes, value in million EUR) 

Preservation 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

Volume 

Value 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

Prepared/Preserved 

Frozen 

Other 

Total 

Source: EUMOFA. 

81 

31 

2 

114 

313 

162 

14 

489 

65 

28 

2 

96 

256 

162 

15 

433 

56 

25 

2 

83 

234 

165 

16 

415 

46 

24 

1 

72 

190 

148 

13 

351 

40 

22 

1 

63 

167 

143 

13 

324 

4.7. 

Trade balance between EU-28 and Thailand 

The  EU  trade  deficit  with  Thailand  has  been 
narrowing over the recent years due to decreasing 
EU import from Thailand. The decrease concerns all 
Commodity Groups, but most prominently tuna and 
tuna-like  species,  crustaceans  and  cephalopods, 
which  accounted  for  more  than  80%  of  the 
decrease in terms of volume.  

In 2019, EU import of  tuna and tuna-like species 
from Thailand was 86.000 tonnes lower compared 
to  2009.  This  decline  is  more  than  offset  by 
increased import from Ecuador, Papa New Guinea 
and China.  

EU  imports  of  crustaceans  from  Thailand  were 
almost 47.000 tonnes lower in 2019 compared to 
2009. Over the same period, imports from Ecuador, 
Argentina  and  Vietnam 
increased  by  almost 
100.000 tonnes. 

Regarding cephalopods, EU imports from Thailand 
had  decreased  by  19.000  tonnes  from  2009  to 
2019,  while 
increased  
60.000 tonnes. 

from  Peru 

imports 

Figure 48.  THAILAND’S TRADE BALANCE WITH EU-28 

(volume in 1000 tonnes, value in million EUR) 

)
s
e
n
n
o
t

0
0
0
1
(

.

e
m
u
o
V

l

250

200

150

100

50

0

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

9
0
0
2

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

2
1
0
2

3
1
0
2

4
1
0
2

5
1
0
2

6
1
0
2

7
1
0
2

8
1
0
2

9
1
0
2

Volume

Value

       Source: EUMOFA. 

)
R
U
E

l
l
i

m

(

l

e
u
a
V

33 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

CASE STUDY 

Figure 49 depicts consumption per capita of seafood and 
meat in Thailand relative to the rest of the world from 
1981  up  until  2013.  While  the  global  trend  has  shown 
increasing  consumption  per  capita  during  the  period, 
Thailand’s  consumption  per  capita  has  fluctuated,  with 
an overall increase.  

Furthermore, compared to the world average, seafood is 
a  relatively  more  important  food  source  than  meat  in 
Thailand.  While  seafood  consumption  per  capita  is 
around the same level or higher than meat consumption 
in Thailand, the latter is more than twice that of seafood 
in the rest of the world.  

European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

4.8.  Consumption 

Figure 49.  CONSUMPTION PER CAPITA OF SEAFOOD IN 

THAILAND VS. THE REST OF THE WORLD 
(volume in kilogram) 

50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

1
8
9
1

3
8
9
1

5
8
9
1

7
8
9
1

9
8
9
1

1
9
9
1

3
9
9
1

5
9
9
1

7
9
9
1

9
9
9
1

1
0
0
2

3
0
0
2

5
0
0
2

7
0
0
2

9
0
0
2

1
1
0
2

3
1
0
2

Thailand (seafood)

World (seafood)

Thailand (meat)

World (meat)

Source: FAO. 

Consumers in Thailand have a low consumption of 
marine  fish,  primarily  opting  for  freshwater  and 
pelagic species. Tilapia is the preferred freshwater 
species,  followed  by  Thai  silver  barb  and  striped 
snakehead.  It  is  worth  noting  that  there  are 
fish 
significant  geographical 
consumption  in  Thailand,  with  people  in  coastal 
areas consuming significantly more seafood than 
those inland. 

trends  within 

Figure 50.  SHARE OF CONSUMPTION BY CATEGORY IN 

THAILAND IN 2013  

39%

5%

6%

7%

8%

8%

27%

       Source: FAO. 

Freshwater
fish

Pelagic fish

Molluscs

Cephalopods

Aquatic
animals

Crustaceans

Demersal fish

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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CASE STUDY 

5. 

Case study – Patagonian toothfish in the EU 

Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides), also known as Chilean seabass, is one of the most expensive fish on the 
global market and is considered a high-end product in Japan, the USA and the EU. In the EU, it is caught by large freezer 
longline vessels operating in the distant waters of the southern Indian and Atlantic Oceans. In 2018, EU catches reached 
6.886 tonnes, mostly attributable to the French distant water fleet based in Réunion Island, where most of the catch is 
processed and re-exported to main consumption markets: the USA, Asia and to a lesser extent the EU. Patagonian toothfish 
is normally landed frozen, headed and gutted, and its first-sales price can reach up to 20,00 EUR/kg. 

5.1. 

 Biology, exploitation and management 

Biology 

Patagonian  toothfish  is  a  large,  demersal  fish 
species that can grow up to 2 metres in length and 
live for up to 50 years. It becomes sexually mature 
when it reaches 70 to 95 cm (6 to 9 years of age). 
It  can  be  found  in  temperate  waters  (28°  to  55° 
south  of 
the  equator),  between  50  and  
2.500-3.000  metres  deep.  The  species  has 
relatively  low  fecundity,  so  its  resilience  is  very 
low35.  A  close  relative,  the  Antarctic  toothfish  (Dissostichus  mawsoni),  is  found  further  south  around  the  edges  of  the 
Antarctic ice shelf.  

Patagonian toothfish spawns in deep water (around 1.000 metres) during the austral winter, producing pelagic eggs and 
larvae. When larvae are about a year old, they switch to a demersal habitat at around 100 metres and inhabit relatively 
shallow water (<300 metres) until 6–7 years of age, when they begin a gradual migration into deeper water. As juveniles 
in shallow water, toothfish is primarily piscivorous, consuming the most abundant suitably-sized local prey. With increasing 
size and habitat depth, the diet diversifies and includes increased scavenging of squid, fish, and crustaceans 36. 

Exploitation and management by the EU 

The long lifespan and late sexual maturity of Patagonian toothfish make it highly vulnerable to overfishing. Stocks have 
been experiencing high levels of exploitation due to high international demand for what is considered to be high-end seafood 
in the USA, the Japan and the EU. The Patagonian toothfish fishery represents the most lucrative fishery in Antarctic and 
Subantarctic waters and occurs in the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of southern Chile and Argentina, and Subantarctic 
islands under the sovereignty of Australia, France, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom37. It is mainly caught 
using bottom-set longlines in depths of 1.200–1.800 metres, and to a lesser extent with bottom trawls. The average weight 
of a commercially caught Patagonian toothfish is 7–10 kg, depending on the fishery, with large adults occasionally exceeding 
100 kg. 

Most toothfish fisheries are managed in accordance with the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living 
Resources (CCAMLR) regulations and conservation measures. Management adopts an “ecosystem approach”, which requires 
that all other living resources of the Antarctic Ocean are treated as an integrated system where effects on predators, prey, 
and  related  species  are  considered,  and  decisions  on  sustainable  harvesting  levels  are  made  on  the  basis  of  robust, 

35 http://www.fao.org/3/y5261e/y5261e09.htm  
36 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123810151000046?via%3Dihub  
37 http://www.fao.org/3/y5261e/y5261e09.htm  

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MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

CASE STUDY 

internationally peer-reviewed scientific advice38. Moreover, several management measures have been implemented to limit 
the catches and to minimise interactions with, and risks to, seabirds, especially for longliners: these measures influence TAC 
and  quotas,  vessel  licensing,  monitoring  of  transhipments,  control  measures,  and  automated  satellite-linked  monitoring 
systems. 

France  regulates  Patagonian  toothfish  in  the  waters  surrounding  the  French  islands  of  the  southern  Indian  Ocean,  with 
scientific oversight from the National Museum of Natural History. These fisheries are located around the Kerguelen Islands 
(CCAMLR Statistical Division 58.5.1) and the Crozet Islands (CCAMLR Statistical Division 58.6). Fishing authorisations have 
been granted to six fishing companies based out of Réunion Island. The Kerguelen Islands fishery was certified by the Marine 
Stewardship Council (MSC) in September 2013 (recertified in 2018) and the Crozet Islands fishery was certified by the MSC 
in 2017 39. Several other extra-EU fishing fleets targeting Patagonian toothfish are also certified by the MSC40.  

5.2.  Production 

Catches 

Global production of Patagonian toothfish amounted to 22.811 tonnes in 2018. The leading producer was by far the EU-28, 
with 6.886 tonnes caught in 2018 (30% of global production). The other main producers were Argentina, Australia, and 
Chile, which provided 16%, 15%, and 13% of the total world production, respectively. They were followed by South Korea 
(10%), Uruguay (5%), and the Falkland Islands (5%). By comparison, the world catches of Antarctic toothfish amounted to 
4.197 tonnes in 2018, and the EU-28 accounted for 16% of this total. 

Over the last decade (2009-2018), world catches of Patagonian toothfish experienced a 4% decrease with different trends 
observed among major producing countries: decreases for the fleets of the EU (-19%) and Chile (-42%) and increases for 
Argentina (+52%), Australia (+19%), and South Korea (+59%). 

Table 12.  WORLD CATCHES OF PATAGONIAN TOOTHFISH (volume in tonnes) 

Country 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

EU-28 

 8.500  

 7.753  

 7.342  

 7.048  

 7.514  

 7.824  

 6.521  

 8.174  

 7.892  

 6.886  

Argentina 

 2.434  

 3.015  

 2.989  

 3.266  

 3.464  

 3.897  

 3.719  

 3.656  

 3.669  

 3.705  

Australia 

 2.916  

 2.956  

 2.742  

 3.077  

 3.060  

 3.217  

 4.537  

 3.158  

 3.665  

 3.465  

Chile 

 5.221  

 5.297  

 4.786  

 4.656  

 4.090  

 2.707  

 3.768  

 5.271  

 3.649  

 3.007  

South Korea 

 1.382  

 977  

 2.067  

 1.386  

 2.069  

 1.815  

 2.003  

 2.049  

 2.398  

 2.200  

Uruguay 

 548  

 609  

 389  

 208  

 248  

 385  

 553  

 1.239  

 1.023  

 1.047  

Falkland 
Is.(Malvinas) 

Others 

Total 

                 Source: FAO. 

 1.211  

 1.031  

 1.286  

 1.151  

 1.351  

 911  

 1.134  

 1.122  

 833  

 1.045  

 1.619  

 1.121  

 1.249  

 999  

 1.239  

 972  

 1.033  

 910  

 1.096  

 1.456  

23.831 

22.759 

22.850 

21.791 

23.035 

21.728 

23.268 

25.579 

24.225 

22.811 

In the EU-28, only three countries catch Patagonian toothfish: France, the UK, and Spain. In 2018, France accounted for 80% 
of EU catches with 5.515 tonnes of Patagonian toothfish caught, a 12% reduction compared to 2017. The UK and Spain 
accounted for 16% and 4% of total EU catches in 2018, respectively. 

38 https://www.ccamlr.org/en/fisheries/toothfish-fisheries  
39 https://www.msc.org/media-centre/press-releases/french-toothfish-fishers-get-msc-certification  
40 https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/@@search?q=toothfish&search  

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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CASE STUDY 

Table 13.  EU-28 CATCHES OF PATAGONIAN TOOTHFISH (volume in tonnes) 

Country 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

France 

United 
Kingdom 

Spain 

Total 

 Source: FAO. 

6.123 

5.814 

5.938 

5.608 

6.188 

6.462 

5.237 

6.585 

6.260 

5.515 

1.364 

897 

1.118 

1.001 

1.209 

1.312 

1.164 

1.165 

1.154 

1.133 

1.013 

1.042 

286 

439 

117 

50 

120 

424 

478 

238 

8.500 

7.753 

7.342 

7.048 

7.514 

7.824 

6.521 

8.174 

7.892 

6.886 

Processing and marketing 

Patagonian toothfish is normally headed, gutted and frozen onboard, then further processed after it is landed. It is marketed 
as frozen fillets or thawed, sold ready to cook 41. In markets and restaurants, it is typically marketed as “Chilean seabass”. 
Commercial  fishing  and  consumption  of  the  species  started  in  the  1990s.  Appreciated  for  its  white  and  tender  flesh, 
toothfish stimulated a high level of demand, which led to a significant rise in illegal fishing activities. Its fatty flesh can be 
eaten raw in the form of sushi or sashimi. It is particularly popular in Asia and the United States, where it is sold at high 
prices42. 

5.3. 

First-sales prices 

Patagonian toothfish prices have followed a strong increasing trend over the 2006–2017 period, tripling in ten years. Since 
the French quota was increased following the 2014–2015 campaign43, prices rose from 12,00 EUR/kg in 2014–2015 to a 
peak of 20,00 EUR/kg in 2016-2017. Prices subsequently fell slightly in 2017–2018, albeit remaining at high levels (18,00 
EUR/kg), largely due to lower demand from China and increased administrative burden to access the US market 44. 

Figure 51.  FIRST-SALES PRICES OF PATAGONIAN TOOTHFISH CAUGHT BY THE FRENCH SOUTHERN FLEET 

s
e
n
n
o
t

6.400

6.200

6.000

5.800

5.600

5.400

25,00

20,00

15,00

10,00

5,00

0,00

g
k
/
R
U
E

French quota

Nominal price EUR/kg

Deflated price EUR/kg

Source: TAAF (French Southern Territories administration). Deflated price is calculated with GDP deflator (base year 2015). 

41 https://pdm-seafoodmag.com/guide/poissons/details/product/L%C3%A9gine.html  
42 http://www.guidedesespeces.org/fr/legine-australe  
43 The fishing season takes place during the austral summer (the campaign usually starts in September), so quotas and catches are reported straddling two 
calendar years. 
44 https://taaf.fr/content/uploads/2019/11/Rapport-CGefi-l%C3%A9gine-envoy%C3%A9-le-11.02.19.2.pdf  

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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CASE STUDY 

5.4. 

Trade 

Patagonian toothfish is traded exclusively as frozen products, whole and gutted or in cuts or fillets. In 2019, the EU trade 
deficit for toothfish was EUR 3,7 million. The deficit is attributable to the imports of frozen toothfish from French Southern 
Territories,  Chile,  and  the  Falkland  Islands.  In  2019,  extra-EU  imports  of  toothfish  reached  475  tonnes  with  a  value  of  
EUR 8,1 million, mostly originating from French Southern Territories (61%), Chile (18%), and the Falkland Islands (17%). 

In 2019, intra-EU exports reached EUR 9,2 million for 1.442 tonnes, of which 41% (in value terms) were frozen whole/gutted 
products,  followed  by  other  frozen  cuts  (35%)  and  frozen  fillets  (24%).  France  is  by  far  the  main  toothfish  supplier  in  
intra-EU trade (54% of total intra-EU export value), whereas Denmark (32%) and the UK (22%) are the main destinations 
for exports on the intra-EU trade market. 

Extra-EU exports are relatively low (EUR 4,4 million for 269 tonnes in 2019), and the main destinations are the USA (35% 
in value terms), Hong Kong (18%) and China (13%). 

Figure 52.  THE PATAGONIAN TOOTHFISH TRADE MARKET IN THE EU (2019) 

EU MARKET

INTRA-EU TRADE
EUR 9,2 million
41% whole/gutted
35% other cuts
24% fillets

Main exporters: 
France 54%, UK 18%, 
Belgium 12%, Others 16%

Main destinations:  
Denmark 32%, UK 22 %, 
France 13%, Others 33% 

EUR 4,4 million

• USA 35% 
• Hong Kong 18%
China 13%
•
• Mauritius 11%
• Others 23%

57% whole/gutted
22 % fillets
21% other cuts

•

•
•

French 
Southern 
Territories 61% 
Chile 18% 
Falkland 
Islands 17%

• Others 4%

EUR 8,1 million

66% whole/gutted
28% fillets
6% other cuts

Source: EUMOFA. 

However, the relatively low volumes and values of EU trade flows of toothfish products compared to EU catch levels are 
due to the fact that EU austral fishing fleets land in France (Réunion Island) or UK (Falkland Islands) territories for further 
processing, packing and exports to the main consumption markets of Asia and the USA. 

5.5. 

Import and export prices 

Although volumes traded in the EU are low compared to what is exported directly from French Southern Territories and the 
Falkland  Islands,  EU  trade  data  show  that  EU  export  prices  followed  the  same  decreasing  trend  in  2018  and  2019  as  
first-sales prices. As an example, EU export prices to the USA of frozen whole/gutted toothfish have decreased in 2018 and 
2019, after a peak at 29,00 EUR/kg in 2017. 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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CASE STUDY 

Figure 53.  PATAGONIAN TOOTHFISH (FROZEN WHOLE/GUTTED): EU EXPORTS TO THE USA 

s
e
n
n
o
t

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Source: EUMOFA. 

35,00

30,00

25,00

20,00

15,00

10,00

5,00

0,00

g
k
/
R
U
E

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Volume

Price

However,  EU  imports  data  show  that  for  toothfish  frozen  fillets,  prices  have  kept  increasing  in  2018  and  2019.  As  an 
example, frozen fillets of toothfish from French Southern Territories have followed an increasing trend in recent years and 
reached 22,00 EUR/kg in 2019. 

Figure 54.  PATAGONIAN TOOTHFISH FILLETS: EU IMPORTS FROM FRENCH SOUTHERN TERRITORIES 

s
e
n
n
o
t

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Source: EUMOFA. 

25,00

20,00

15,00

10,00

5,00

0,00

g
k
/
R
U
E

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Volume

Price

It  has  to  be  underlined  that  EU  trade  data  for  toothfish  should  be  considered  with  caution  as  prices  may  strongly  vary 
between different years and origins/destinations. 

. 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

GLOBAL HIGHLIGHTS 

6.  Global highlights 

EU  /  Fisheries:  The  European  Commission  plans  to  increase 
transparency  in  the  negotiating  process  for  annual  fishing 
opportunities (Total Allowable Catches and quotas). In the future, 
all elements of Commission documents relating to the proposals 
on  fishing  opportunities,  such  as  “non-papers”,  will  be  made 
public when they are transmitted to the Council. Non-papers on 
fishing  opportunities  supplement 
initial  Commission 
proposals  through  the  addition  of  new  scientific  advice  or  the 
results  of  international  negotiations,  which  were  not  yet 
available when the initial proposal was adopted45. 

the 

EU / Mauritania / Fisheries: In July, the EU has extended the 
protocol  to  the  existing  Fisheries  Partnership  Agreement  (FPA) 
with the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for one year. The protocol 
promotes  responsible  fishing  and  sustainable  management  of 
fishing resources, including enhanced transparency measures. The extension ensures continuity in cooperation and further progress 
towards sustainable fishing. The fisheries partnership agreement with Mauritania is the biggest mixed agreement for the EU both in 
financial terms and in terms of fishing opportunities. Under the current framework with Mauritania, the EU fleet is authorized to fish 
in Mauritanian waters for shrimp, demersal fish, tuna, and small pelagics, up to around 287.000 tonnes per year46. 

Croatia / Fisheries: In 2019, Croatia's total production of marine fish and other sea organisms decreased by 5.475 tonnes (-6,3%) 
compared to 2018. The total value of fishery products decreased by 3,1% compared to 2018, while the total production of freshwater 
fish increased by 201 tonnes (+6.9%), or by +5.3% in total value. The number of fishermen engaged in maritime fishing decreased 
by 0,9% in 2019, while the total number of vessels increased by 0,5%, compared to 2018 47. 

World / Mussel / Supply: World mussel trade was stable in 2019, remaining at the levels reached in 2018. About 370.000 tonnes 
entered international trade. The main importing countries were France, the Netherlands, and Italy. Chile is the main export country, 
with 76.000 tonnes exported in 2019. The European Union is one of the main markets for live mussels, but imports decreased in 
2019. About 216.000 tonnes were imported by the European Union last year, which is 4.000 tonnes lower than in 201848. 

UK / Crab / COVID-19: The United Kingdom’s exports of brown crab to China were negatively affected by COVID-19, as imports into 
China dried up. This happened just before the Chinese New Year, which is normally the peak season for crab consumption in China, 
and for crab exports from Scotland. Each year, exports of brown crab to China amount to about 5.000 tonnes, so the decline of this 
trade highly affected the business of British crab exporters49. 

Russia / Supply: In the Russian Federation in January-April 2020, total export volume of fisheries products decreased by 4,5%, and 
its value by 3,8%, compared to the same period in 2019. Average prices for Russia's main export product, frozen fish, increased by 
1%. Imports decreased by 6,2% in volume and by 0,3% in value. Average prices of imports for chilled fish and fillets decreased by 
1,5% and 6,7% but increased for frozen fish by 10% 50. 

Scotland / COVID-19: The Scottish Government scheme, funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, compensated finfish 
and shellfish farmers affected by the collapse of export markets due to Covid-19, for the cost of transporting, freezing and storing 
salmon, trout, and shellfish until the end of 202051. 

45 https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press/commissioner-sinkevi%C4%8Dius-announces-more-transparency-its-proposals-fishing-opportunities_en  
46 https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press/sustainable-fisheries-cooperation-mauritania-continues_en  
47 https://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/publication/2020/01-04-01_01_2020.htm  
48 http://www.fao.org/in-action/globefish/market-reports/resource-detail/en/c/1296657/  
49 http://www.fao.org/in-action/globefish/market-reports/resource-detail/en/c/1296660/  
50 http://www.fish.gov.ru/obiedinennaya-press-sluzhba/novosti/30872-rybnye-ryady-v-rossii-prodolzhaet-deshevet-ryad-vidov-morozhenoj-ryby  
51 https://www.fishfarmingexpert.com/article/fish-and-shellfish-farmers-given-125m-aid-to-freeze-stock/  

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

MACROECONOMIC CONTEXT 

7.  Macroeconomic Context 

7.1. Marine fuel 

Average prices for marine fuel in July 2020 ranged between 0,31 and 0,38 EUR/litre in ports in France, Italy, Spain, and the UK. 
Prices increased about 6% compared with the previous month but decreased 33% compared with the same month in 2019.  

Table 14. AVERAGE PRICE OF MARINE DIESEL IN ITALY, FRANCE, SPAIN, AND THE UK (EUR/litre) 

Member State  
France  
(ports of Lorient and Boulogne) 
Italy  
(ports of Ancona and Livorno) 
Spain  
(ports of A Coruña and Vigo) 
The UK  
(ports of Grimsby and Aberdeen) 

Jul 2020 

Change from Jun 2020 

Change from Jul 2019 

0,32 

0,31 

0,38 

0,32 

6% 

10% 

3% 

7% 

-35% 

-37% 

-22% 

-36% 

Source: Chamber of Commerce of Forlì-Cesena, Italy; DPMA, France; MABUX. 

Figure 55.  AVERAGE PRICE OF MARINE DIESEL IN ITALY, FRANCE, SPAIN, AND THE UK (EUR/litre) 

Italy
France
Spain
UK

0,65
0,60
0,55
0,50
0,45
0,40
0,35
0,30
0,25
0,20

7
1

/
l
u
J

7
1
/
p
e
S

7
1
/
v
o
N

8
1
/
n
a
J

8
1
/
r
a
M

8
1
/
y
a
M

8
1

/
l
u
J

8
1
/
p
e
S

8
1
/
v
o
N

9
1
/
n
a
J

9
1
/
r
a
M

9
1
/
y
a
M

9
1

/
l
u
J

9
1
/
p
e
S

9
1
/
v
o
N

0
2
/
n
a
J

0
2
/
r
a
M

0
2
/
y
a
M

0
2

/
l
u
J

Source: Chamber of Commerce of Forlì-Cesena, Italy; DPMA, France; MABUX. 

7.2. Consumer prices 

The EU annual inflation rate was at 0,8% in June 2020, up from 0,6% in May. A year earlier, the rate was 1,6%. 

Inflation: lowest rates in June 2020,  
compared with May 2020. 

Inflation: highest rates in June 2020,  
compared with May 2020. 

2,2% 

 1,9% 

 1,6% 

3,8% 

  3,4% 

       2,9% 

Cyprus 

Greece 

Estonia 

Poland 

The Czech 
Republic 

Hungary 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Market Observatory for 

Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS | NO.8/2020 

MACROECONOMIC CONTEXT 

Table 15.  HARMONISED INDEX OF CONSUMER PRICES IN THE EU (2015 = 100) 

HICP  

Jun 

 2018 

Jun 

2019 

May 

 2020 

Jun 

2020 

Change from 

Change from  

 May 2020 

Jun 2019 

Food and non-
alcoholic beverages  

104,71 

106,87 

111,01 

110,60 

Fish and seafood  

108,75 

110,66 

113,74 

113,53 

 

 

0,4% 

0,2% 

 

 

3,5% 

2,6% 

In  July  2020,  the  euro  appreciated  against  the  Japanese 
yen and the US dollar (+1,1% and +0,1%, respectively), and 
depreciated against the Norwegian krone (-1,6%) relative 
to  the  previous  month.  For  the  past  six  months,  the  euro 
has fluctuated around 10,92 against the Norwegian krone. 
Compared with July 2019, the euro has appreciated 0,2% 
against  the  Japanese  yen,  9,8%  against  the  Norwegian 
krone, and 6,3% against the US dollar. 

Source: Eurostat. 

7.3. Exchange rates  

Table 16.  EXCHANGE RATES FOR SELECTED CURRENCIES 

Currency 

Jul  
2018  

Jul 
2019 

Jun  
2020 

Jul  
2020 

NOK 

JPY 

9,5338 

9,7778 

10,9120 

10,7323 

130,84 

121,04 

120,66 

124,31 

1,1736 
USD 
Source: European Central Bank. 

1,1151 

1,1198 

1,1848 

Figure 56.  TREND OF EURO EXCHANGE RATES 

Italy
France
Spain
UK

0,65
0,60
0,55
0,50
0,45
0,40
0,35
0,30
0,25
0,20

7
1

/
l
u
J

7
1
/
p
e
S

7
1
/
v
o
N

8
1
/
n
a
J

8
1
/
r
a
M

8
1
/
y
a
M

8
1

/
l
u
J

8
1
/
p
e
S

8
1
/
v
o
N

9
1
/
n
a
J

9
1
/
r
a
M

9
1
/
y
a
M

9
1

/
l
u
J

9
1
/
p
e
S

9
1
/
v
o
N

0
2
/
n
a
J

0
2
/
r
a
M

0
2
/
y
a
M

0
2

/
l
u
J

Source: European Central Bank. 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
K
L
-
A
K
-
2
0
-
0
0
8
-
E
N
-
N

Manuscript completed in August 2020 

Neither  the  European  Commission  nor  any  person  acting  on  behalf  of  the 
Commission  is  responsible  for  the  use  that  might  be  made  of  the  following 
information. 

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2020 

© European Union, 2020 

Reuse is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. 

The  reuse  policy  of  European  Commission  documents  is  regulated  by  Decision 
2011/833/EU (OJ L 330, 14.12.2011, p. 39). 

Copyright for photographs: © EUROFISH, World Factbook, 2020 

For any use or reproduction of photos or other material that is not under the EU 
copyright, permission must be sought directly from the copyright holders. 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION AND COMMENTS: 

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E-mail: contact-us@eumofa.eu

This report has been compiled using EUMOFA data and the following sources: 

First sales: The Council of European Union, European Commission, FAO. 

Consumption: EUROPANEL. 

Case  studies:  Worldometer,  SEAFDEC,  Rabobank,  European  Commission, 
Department of  Agriculture and Resource Economics of Kasetsart University, FAO, 
Kontali,  Boston  Consulting  Group,  ASC,  Aquaculture  Alliance,  Seafood  Source, 
ScienceDirect,  Commission  for  the  Conservation  of  Antarctic  Marine  Living 
Resources, Marine Stewardship Council, French Southern Territories administration 
(TAAF).  

Global  highlights:  DG-Mare  European  Commission,  FAO,  Croatian  Bureau  of 
Statistics,  fishfarmingexpert.com,  Federal  Agency  for  Fishery  of  the  Russian 
Federation. 

Macroeconomic  context:  EUROSTAT,  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Forlì-Cesena, 
Italy: DPMA, France: ARVI, Spain: MABUX, European Central Bank. 

The  underlying  first-sales  data  is  in  a  separate  annex  available  on  the  EUMOFA 
website.  Analyses  are  made  at  aggregated  (main  commercial  species)  level  and 
according to the EU Electronic recording and reporting system (ERS).  

In  the  context  of  this  Monthly  Highlight,  analyses  are  led  in  current  prices  and 
expressed in nominal values. 

The European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products 
(EUMOFA) was developed by the European Commission, representing one of the 
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