EUFOMA report quantifies Ireland’s EU seafood standing, share of first-sales value, ranking, species breakdown and growth compared with EU trends.
EUFOMA Report Sets Out Ireland’s Market Position
Ireland’s standing within the EU seafood market has been set out in the latest data published by the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products.
The figures, covering the period January to October 2025, provide a statistical overview of first-sales performance across member states.
Ireland’s Share Of Total EU First-Sales Value
The latest data published sets Ireland’s seafood performance within the wider EU framework rather than in isolation.
Between January and October 2025, total first-sales value across reporting EU member states reached approximately €3.4 billion. Ireland accounted for €240.7 million of that total.
This places Ireland at roughly 7% of overall EU first-sales value during the reporting period. The figure is based on declared landings and recorded auction data compiled within the EUFOMA dataset.
In volume terms, the EU recorded approximately 1.8 million tonnes, with Ireland contributing 171,610 tonnes, representing close to 9.5% of total reported landings.
Ireland’s Ranking Among Member States
The EUFOMA report positions Ireland within the mid to upper tier of EU producers when measured by value.
Spain led by a significant margin with over €1.2 billion in first-sales value during the same period. France followed at approximately €619.6 million. Italy and Denmark also recorded higher total values than Ireland.
Ireland’s €240.7 million places it ahead of several smaller northern fleets, but behind the largest western and southern member states. The ranking reflects fleet scale, quota allocation, species mix and domestic market size.
The report does not apply political interpretation. It presents recorded figures and percentage changes across member states.
Irish Fishing News Patrons 2026
Species-Level Breakdown and EU Comparison
Ireland’s first-sales value is concentrated in small pelagic species and shellfish. Atlantic horse mackerel, mackerel, Norway lobster and crab account for a substantial share of Irish revenue.
Across the EU as a whole, small pelagics generated €753.7 million in value, groundfish €580.6 million and crustaceans €551.6 million during the reporting period.
Ireland’s landings profile shows a heavier proportional reliance on pelagic species compared with some southern fleets, which display broader diversification across demersal and mixed fisheries.
The EUFOMA data confirms that value growth in Ireland was driven primarily by price strength in these pelagic and shellfish categories.
Value Growth Compared With EU Average
Ireland recorded an 11% increase in first-sales value year on year.
Across the EU, total first-sales value rose by approximately 4% over the same period, while overall volume declined by 3%.
Ireland’s value growth therefore exceeded the EU average increase. Volume growth in Ireland, at 3%, contrasts with the EU-wide contraction.
These comparative figures place Ireland above the aggregate EU trend in both value and volume performance during the reporting window.
Context Of Overall EU Production Trends
The broader EU data shows a recurring structural pattern: higher first-sales value combined with declining or stagnating volumes.
The €3.4 billion recorded across member states was achieved on reduced tonnage compared with the previous year. This indicates that price increases, rather than expanded production, underpinned revenue growth.
Within that context, Ireland’s moderate volume increase stands out against the EU-wide decline.
All figures cited are drawn from the EUFOMA report covering January to October 2025. The dataset provides statistical evidence of Ireland’s contribution to, and position within, the EU seafood market during the period assessed.
