April 2022 04/2022
Latest trends The week before Easter is a major fish consumption period, especially in those parts of Europe with Catholic populations. This year, Easter also represented the first holiday period after the pandemic-related lockdowns and restrictions which endured throughout the winter months. Restaurants have reopened everywhere and European consumers have been taking full advantage of the return to normality. As a result, demand for seafood has reached sky-high levels in all major markets. At the same time, however, high fuel costs have been impacting suppliers, and fishers in various parts of the continent have been striking to seek reductions in fuel prices. The conflict in Ukraine has also created several supply chain issues, particularly for groundfish suppliers, despite the exclusion of Russian groundfish from the European Union embargo on Russian products. The net result of these contrasting drivers on the demand and supply sides has been steeply rising prices for most products. In particular, prices for tuna, Norwegian lobster and groundfish have all risen significantly over recent weeks.
GROUNDFISH Russian groundfish has not been not included in the fifth round of European Union sanctions, which included crustaceans such as crab. The Russian Federation exports significant quantities of groundfish to Europe, with the bulk consisting of Alaska pollack routed through China, an important source of raw material for EU fish processing industry.
1
Index for prices
Groundfish
8
Flatfish
10
Tuna
11
Small Pelagics
11
Cephalopods
12
Crustaceans
14
Bivalves
15
Salmon
16
Trout
17
Freshwater fish
17
Non Traditional Species
17
Seabass-SeabreamMeagre
18
The European Fish Price Report, based on information supplied by industry correspondents, aims to provide guidance on broad price trends. Price information is indicative and should be used only for forecasting medium- and long-term trends. FAO is not responsible for any errors or omissions.