Sharp Rise in Prices Boost Danish Fishmeal Industry During 2025

The DPPO says that the Danish pelagic fleet will be the first in Europe to introduce fully documented fishing on all their fishing vessels. Photo: DPPO Pelac EU Oceans Pact Danish Fishing Puts EU North Sea Herring Allocation Error Under Fire

Rising fishmeal prices boost Danish fishing industry as higher landings and stronger values drive growth in marine ingredients sector

Raw Material Prices Surge For Fishmeal And Oil

The Danish fishmeal industry has seen a sharp rise in raw material prices for landings to fishmeal and fish oil production in 2025, significantly strengthening the economic performance of the fishing industry.

By the end of September, Danish fishermen had landed just under 324,000 tonnes of fish to Danish fishmeal and fish oil factories, with a total value of slightly over DKK 1 billion (approximately €133.9 million / £117.0 million). This marks a substantial increase compared with the same period last year, when landings totalled 253,000 tonnes valued at DKK 641 million (approximately €85.8 million / £75.1 million).

The year-on-year improvement represents a 28 per cent increase in volume and a 59 per cent increase in value, clearly indicating that factories are paying markedly higher prices for raw material than they were in 2024.

These figures underline the central role played by Denmark’s marine ingredients sector in the overall economics of Danish fisheries.

Sandeel Shows Stable Growth Despite Access Constraints

The industrial sandeel fishery has recorded a positive season, despite continued lack of access to Dogger Bank in British waters.

Landings of sandeel increased from just over 70,000 tonnes in 2024 to 78,000 tonnes in 2025. At the same time, the average price per kilo rose sharply, from DKK 2.10 (approximately €0.28 / £0.25) to DKK 2.91 (approximately €0.39 / £0.34).

This price increase pushed the total landing value from DKK 147 million (approximately €19.7 million / £17.2 million) last year to DKK 228 million (approximately €30.5 million / £26.7 million) in 2025, offsetting the operational and spatial limitations faced by fishermen.

Sprat Records The Strongest Expansion

Sprat has delivered the largest growth of any species used for fishmeal and fish oil production.

By the end of September, Danish fishermen had landed 144,000 tonnes of sprat, compared with 81,000 tonnes at the same point last year. Factory settlement prices have also increased, rising from DKK 3.15 per kilo (approximately €0.42 / £0.37) to DKK 3.58 per kilo (approximately €0.48 / £0.42).

The figures cover both the autumn sprat fishery in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea fishery conducted earlier in the year, highlighting strong demand across multiple fisheries.

Blue Whiting and Norway Pout Performance

Blue whiting remains a key species for the fishmeal and oil sector, although volumes have declined. Landings fell from 87,000 tonnes in 2024 to 78,000 tonnes in 2025.

Despite the reduction in volume, higher prices meant the total value increased slightly, reaching DKK 200 million (approximately €26.8 million / £23.4 million) compared with DKK 193 million (approximately €25.8 million / £22.6 million) last year.

The fishery for Norway pout has also seen clear growth, with landings rising to more than 6,000 tonnes, up from just under 4,000 tonnes in the previous year.

Fishmeal Raw Material Critical To Sector Viability

Indirect human consumption fisheries are playing an increasingly decisive role in sustaining the Danish fishing industry.

Members of Marine Ingredients Denmark are the largest buyers of small pelagic species such as tobis, blue whiting and sprat. These species are processed into fishmeal and fish oil, which are essential ingredients in feed for aquaculture and livestock production.

While these fish have limited value as food for direct human consumption, they are rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making them indispensable for the production of high-quality, nutrient-dense food products, including farmed salmon.

Producers also utilise trimmings and by-products from consumption species such as herring and mackerel, ensuring full use of landed fish and supporting a more sustainable and efficient use of marine resources.

Value Growth Highlights Structural Dependence

The strong increase in value relative to volume illustrates how sensitive the fishing sector remains to price developments in the fishmeal and fish oil market.

With landings to the marine ingredients sector now exceeding one billion kroner (over €134 million / £117 million) in value within nine months, the figures reinforce the structural importance of industrial fisheries to Danish fishermen, particularly at a time when access restrictions, spatial pressures and environmental requirements continue to intensify.

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