The EU seafood market is proving popular, with a 1.7% increase in total market supply to 14.4 million tonnes, according to the 2015 AIPCE-CEP Finfish Study.
According to the recently published study, tuna, salmon and cod are the most popular species in the EU market accounting for around 1.3 million tonnes each.
In terms of per capita consumption, the market has seen a rise to historical levels, while EU whitefish catches and quota utilisation are also showing growth.
The study also reveals a positive time for imports, which remain stable at 63% share of total supply but imports still account for 89% of consumption of wild capture whitefish species. Exports are up 8%, reflecting strengthening global demand.
AIPCE-CEP says the EU primary processing industry’s appetite for investing is growing in line with the expansion of resources in fisheries both within the EU and in neighbouring regions which is helping to generate confidence that long-term management plans are beginning to pay off.
The FinFish study also recommends that future import arrangements under the Autonomous Tariff Quota (ATQ) system need to provide sufficient and secure access to competitively priced raw materials to generate the innovation and investment required to support growth.
The study is the latest in a highly regarded series of studies going back more than 20 years and giving an authoritative industry perspective on actual performance and future trends.
