EU processors warn of whitefish shortages as catches fall; Seafood Europe urges support through trade, aquaculture and domestic production
The European seafood processing industry has warned that falling supplies of wild-caught whitefish are placing severe strain on EU processors, with declining catches, lower quotas, and trade disruptions combining to threaten the sector’s stability.
Publishing its EU Seafood Supply Synopsis 2025, Seafood Europe (formerly AIPCE-CEP) said the situation requires a “multi-faceted approach” involving improved domestic production, expansion of aquaculture, and supportive trade measures to ensure a sustainable seafood supply for consumers.
Seafood Europe President Guus Pastoor said the current market situation is “not favourable” and warned that the pressure on whitefish supply has “severe implications for many processing companies.” He added that rising production of farmed species such as pangasius, seabass, and seabream, along with tuna and shrimp, is helping to ease the impact.
Vice President Yobana Bermudez said that both regional production and reliable imports are needed to safeguard seafood security for the EU. “Only then can the EU seafood supply remain resilient and future-proof,” she said.
According to the report, total seafood consumption in the EU reached 10.7 million tonnes in 2024, a 5% increase on 2023. EU production rose by 7% to 4 million tonnes, while imports climbed 2% to 8.8 million tonnes. Average consumption per capita hit 23.8 kilograms and is expected to rise further in 2025, driven mainly by imports.
Whitefish consumption, however, declined by 5% in 2024 compared with 2023, and by 6% relative to the 2020–2024 average. The EU relies heavily on imports for whitefish, which account for 94% of supply. The main species are Alaska pollock and cod, sourced from Russia, the United States, and Norway.
Geopolitical tensions and trade measures continue to restrict access to Russian fish, while lower quotas for species such as Barents Sea cod are further reducing wild-caught volumes.
At the same time, shrimp and prawn consumption rose 7% to 860,000 tonnes in 2024, with Ecuador strengthening its position as the EU’s leading supplier, accounting for 25% of imports, particularly into Spain, France, and Italy.
The report shows that aquaculture is playing an increasing role in stabilising the seafood market. In 2024, EU pangasius production rose 12% to 205,000 tonnes, seabream increased 2% to 159,000 tonnes, seabass climbed 7% to 136,000 tonnes, and tilapia grew 8% to 42,000 tonnes. Although farmed fish cannot fully replace wild-caught whitefish, Seafood Europe said they “help soften the impact of declining wild stocks.”
The organisation is calling for a flexible Autonomous Tariff Quota (ATQ) system, new Free Trade Agreements, and the avoidance of trade barriers to safeguard seafood raw materials from fisheries, aquaculture, and third-country sources.
Seafood Europe said such measures are essential to maintain the competitiveness and employment of the EU seafood processing industry, which depends on a secure and diversified supply base.
