EU: Frozen Fish Meat Market 2025

Frozen Fish Meat Market Size in the EU

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was growth in the EU frozen fish meat market, when its value increased by 2.5% to $X. In general, consumption continues to indicate a mild setback. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Fish Meat Production in the EU

In value terms, frozen fish meat production reduced slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a mild decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Fish Meat Exports

Exports in the EU

For the third year in a row, the European Union recorded growth in shipments abroad of frozen fish meat, which increased by 15% to X tons in 2021. Total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +56.2% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 20%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, frozen fish meat exports soared to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons), distantly followed by Denmark (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Spain (X tons), Poland (X tons), Lithuania (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Portugal (X tons) were the largest exporters of frozen fish meat, together creating 91% of total exports.

The Netherlands was also the fastest-growing in terms of the frozen fish meat exports, with a CAGR of +26.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Sweden (+16.4%), Lithuania (+10.2%), Denmark (+4.3%), Poland (+3.5%) and Spain (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Portugal (-1.3%) and Germany (-2.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the Netherlands (+22 p.p.), Sweden (+6.6 p.p.) and Lithuania (+2.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Denmark (-1.9 p.p.), Poland (-1.9 p.p.), Portugal (-4.6 p.p.), Spain (-5.5 p.p.) and Germany (-7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest frozen fish meat supplying countries in the European Union were the Netherlands ($X), Spain ($X) and Poland ($X), with a combined 56% share of total exports.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +17.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 2.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 6.9%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while Denmark ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Frozen Fish Meat Imports

Imports in the EU

Frozen fish meat imports contracted slightly to X tons in 2021, which is down by -3.1% against the previous year. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, frozen fish meat imports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 18%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of frozen fish meat imports in 2021 were France (X tons), Poland (X tons), Spain (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Lithuania (X tons), together recording 72% of total import. The Netherlands (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 5.9% share, followed by Sweden (5.8%).

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Sweden (with a CAGR of +13.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X), Spain ($X) and Poland ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 49% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Sweden, which together accounted for a further 29%.

Sweden, with a CAGR of +8.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 9.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while Sweden ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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