EUMOFA report analyses hake supply chains in Spain, France and Ireland, highlighting production, imports, consumption, and price transmission from vessel to retail
The European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA) has released a detailed case study on hake markets in Spain, France and Ireland.
The report, completed in November 2025, provides an in-depth analysis of production trends, trade flows, consumption patterns and price transmission along the supply chain. It also compares how costs and margins are distributed from vessel to retail in each country.
Global hake production reached 1.17 million tonnes in 2023, dominated by Argentine hake (37%), Cape hake (23%), North Pacific hake (20%) and European hake (8%). The EU-27 ranks third globally, behind the USA and Argentina. Spain is the leading EU producer, accounting for 81% of EU hake catches in 2024 (150,991 tonnes), followed by France with 12% (21,743 tonnes). Ireland plays a key role as a landing hub for Spanish and French fleets.
EU apparent consumption of hake was estimated at 516,871 tonnes live weight equivalent (LWE) in 2024. Spain is the largest consumer, representing 46% of EU consumption, followed by Italy and France. Imports from non-EU countries totalled 398,418 tonnes LWE in 2024, valued at €765 million, with Namibia, South Africa and Argentina as main suppliers. Frozen hake accounted for 93% of import volume. Exports to non-EU markets reached 41,605 tonnes, worth €88.8 million, with Ukraine as the top destination.
Spain: Europe’s Hake Powerhouse
Spain dominates the EU hake market both as a producer and consumer. In 2024, Spanish catches reached 150,991 tonnes, up 36% compared with 2015. Most of these catches consist of Argentine hake (75%), with European hake accounting for 16%. Imports totalled 124,312 tonnes, valued at €545.8 million, while exports reached 96,477 tonnes worth €327.7 million. Apparent consumption stood at 240,036 tonnes LWE.
Despite its leading position, Spain has seen a sharp decline in household consumption of fresh hake, which fell by 61% between 2015 and 2024. This trend reflects broader changes in consumer behaviour, including reduced at-home fish consumption and substitution with other species such as salmon. However, hake remains the most consumed fresh fish in Spanish households, representing 12% of total fresh fish volume.
Retail prices have risen significantly, increasing by 51% over the past decade. In 2024, the average household retail price was €10.83/kg, while online surveys showed much higher prices for premium products: whole fresh hake averaged €18.21/kg and headed hake €19.25/kg. At wholesale level, prices for whole hake ranged from €6.20/kg in Barcelona for small fish to €27.00/kg in Madrid for pole-caught hake.
The Spanish supply chain is short and highly efficient. Fish landed in the morning can reach retail shelves the same day. Most hake is sold through auctions (lonjas) and wholesale markets (mercas), which handled 271,926 tonnes of fresh fish in 2023, with hake accounting for 30%.
Price transmission analysis reveals significant margins at retail level. In 2024, the first-sale price for whole hake was €6.35/kg, wholesale price €11.26/kg, and retail price €21.18/kg including VAT. Retail costs and margins accounted for 41% of the final price, while wholesale margins represented 18%. Rising costs for transport, labour and logistics have contributed to these increases, alongside inflationary pressures since 2020.
France: A Market of Segmentation and Premium Fillets
France is the second largest EU hake producer and the third largest consumer. French catches fell by 50% between 2015 and 2024, totalling 21,743 tonnes. Imports reached 16,209 tonnes in 2024, valued at €86.9 million, while exports stood at 6,419 tonnes worth €40.6 million. Apparent consumption was 47,965 tonnes LWE.
Hake ranks as the 13th most purchased fresh fish in French retail, accounting for 2% of total fresh fish volume. Large retailers dominate distribution, representing 67% of sales volume and 62% of value, followed by fishmongers and open markets. Out-of-home consumption also plays a significant role, particularly in restaurants.
The French market is segmented by size and presentation. Small hake (merluchon) under 800 g is sold whole, while larger fish are cut into fillets or slices. Fishing method also influences price, with longline-caught hake commanding premiums over trawl-caught fish. Certification schemes such as MSC and local quality labels are increasingly important.
Retail prices for fresh hake fillets ranged from €16.66 to €29.90/kg in 2025, while whole hake averaged €12.90 to €18.00/kg. The average retail price was €14.30/kg in 2024, lower than the overall average for fresh fish (€16.80/kg). Wholesale prices at Rungis market varied from €6.39/kg for 1–2 kg fish to €9.20/kg for 3–4 kg fish, with fillets reaching €11.14/kg.
Price structure analysis for fresh fillets shows a first-sale price of €4.22/kg, wholesale price €13.01/kg, and retail price €19.90/kg. Retail costs and margins represented 35% of the final price. Shrinkage during filleting is a major cost driver, accounting for 28% of the retail price.
Ireland: A Market Driven by Imports
Ireland is a relatively small producer but an important landing hub for foreign fleets. Irish catches reached 3,439 tonnes in 2023, but most landings are exported. Imports totalled 1,837 tonnes in 2024, valued at €8.4 million, while exports fell to 325 tonnes. Apparent consumption was estimated at 5,371 tonnes LWE in 2023.
Hake is the seventh most consumed fish species in Irish retail, with sales valued at €10 million. The market is dominated by fillets, sold fresh or frozen. Unlike Spain and France, hake is almost never sold whole in Ireland. Retail prices for fresh fillets ranged from €11.43/kg in supermarkets to €24.00/kg in fine-food shops. Online prices averaged €18.87/kg for fresh fillets.
The Irish market is heavily segmented between domestic hake and imported products. Most imports consist of frozen fillets from South Africa, often refreshed and sold as “fresh” in supermarkets. Premium Irish hake fillets command higher prices, reflecting limited availability and strong demand in restaurants.
Price transmission analysis for Irish hake fillets shows a first-sale price of €6.00/kg, wholesale price €16.00/kg, and retail price €19.90/kg. Retail costs and margins accounted for 20% of the final price, while wholesale margins represented 13%. Shrinkage during filleting is significant, estimated at 55%.
Comparative Insights and Emerging Challenges
The EUMOFA study highlights stark differences in market structure and pricing across the three countries. Spain has the shortest supply chain and the highest retail margins, while Ireland’s market is heavily import-dependent. France shows strong segmentation by size and presentation, with fillets commanding premium prices.
A major emerging challenge is the spread of the Anisakis parasite in fishing zones in the Bay of Biscay and off western Ireland. This sanitary issue has disrupted trade flows and influenced price differentiation by origin. Spanish wholesalers have stopped importing Irish hake due to Anisakis concerns, reducing Irish exports and increasing domestic availability.
Sustainability and certification are also shaping market dynamics. MSC-labelled products are gaining traction, particularly in France and Ireland, while Spanish consumers show growing interest in quality brands and origin labelling.
Conclusion
Hake remains a cornerstone of European seafood markets, but its supply chains are under pressure from rising costs, changing consumer habits and sanitary challenges. Spain continues to dominate production and consumption, while France and Ireland navigate complex market structures influenced by imports and processing requirements.
The EUMOFA report underscores the importance of transparency in price transmission and the need for strategies to maintain competitiveness. For fishermen, wholesalers and retailers, adapting to these trends will be crucial to sustaining profitability and meeting consumer expectations for quality and sustainability.
