IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘EU – Frozen Whole Fresh Water Fish – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

In 2019, after three years of growth, there was a decline in the EU frozen freshwater fish market, when its value decreased by -2.4% to $732M. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 4.8% year-to-year. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $750M in 2018 and then declined slightly in the following year.

Consumption by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of frozen freshwater fish consumption in 2019 were Germany (49K tonnes), the UK (40K tonnes), and Spain (23K tonnes), together accounting for 48% of total consumption (IndexBox estimates). France, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Greece lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

From 2013 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of frozen freshwater fish consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Poland, while frozen freshwater fish consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the UK ($146M), Germany ($122M), and Spain ($84M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2019, with a combined 48% share of the total market. These countries were followed by France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Romania, Poland, and Greece, which together accounted for a further 36%.

The countries with the highest levels of frozen freshwater fish per capita consumption in 2019 were Belgium (755 kg per 1000 persons), the Netherlands (672 kg per 1000 persons), and Portugal (615 kg per 1000 persons).

Production in the EU

In 2019, frozen freshwater fish production in the European Union contracted to 164K tonnes, reducing by -11.4% on the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2013 to 2019; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. As a result, production reached a peak volume of 185K tonnes and then fell in the following year.

Production by Country

The country with the largest volume of frozen freshwater fish production was Germany (52K tonnes), comprising approx. 32% of the total volume. Moreover, frozen freshwater fish production in Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Spain (23K tonnes), twofold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by the UK (21K tonnes), with a 13% share.

In Germany, frozen freshwater fish production expanded at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2013-2019. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Spain (-2.6% per year) and the UK (+1.3% per year).

Exports in the EU

In 2019, the amount of frozen whole freshwater fish exported in the European Union declined to 101K tonnes, reducing by -13.1% compared with the year before. In general, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 8.1% y-o-y. Over the period under review, exports hit record highs at 117K tonnes in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2019, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure. In value terms, frozen freshwater fish exports reduced to $291M (IndexBox estimates) in 2019.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (25K tonnes) and Spain (24K tonnes) represented roughly 49% of the total exports of frozen whole freshwater fish in 2019. Portugal (15K tonnes) took a 15% share (based on tonnes) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Germany (8.6%), Belgium (6.5%), and Estonia (5.1%). Latvia (3K tonnes) and Poland (2.4K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Latvia, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest frozen freshwater fish supplying countries in the European Union were the Netherlands ($89M), Spain ($65M), and Portugal ($48M), with a combined 69% share of total exports. Germany, Belgium, Estonia, Poland, and Latvia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.

Latvia recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The frozen freshwater fish export price in the European Union stood at $2,893 per tonne in 2019, remaining constant against the previous year. Over the last six-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the export price increased by 17% y-o-y. As a result, export price attained the peak level of $2,916 per tonne, leveling off in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($3,578 per tonne), while Latvia ($916 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands, while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform