Seafish launches 2024 processing survey

Seafish collects socio-economic and financial data each year to help better understand the sector’s needs.

Among the areas where the survey has proved crucial is helping better understand the impacts of immigration rules with data from the 2023 survey used to inform consultations on the recently proposed changes to the Skilled Worker Visa requirements.

“Given the many changes that the sector has faced and will continue to face, having up-to-date data on the performance of the sector can better help us support processors through the work that we do,” explained Dana Wright, senior economist at Seafish.

“For example, data from the census has helped to support international trade, inform immigration consultations, and demonstrate the need for financial support during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Findings from previous processing surveys show a slight decline in processing sites. The results also showed that most processors engage in other business activities besides processing, such as wholesaling.

Total turnover in the seafood processing sector remained around £4 billion in the last decade. After a drop in 2019, turnover rose in the subsequent two years, suggesting that the increase in retail sales during the Covid-19 pandemic was able to offset losses.

The survey is a five-minute phone call followed by an email. Processors will be asked about the main activities of their business, the species they process, the size and make-up of their work force and financial performance information. More information can be found at the Seafish website.