Netherlands: Frozen Freshwater Fish Market 2025

Frozen Freshwater Fish Market Size in the Netherlands

The Dutch frozen freshwater fish market expanded to $X in 2021, with an increase of 1.7% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded buoyant growth. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Production in the Netherlands

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 173% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Exports

Exports from the Netherlands

In 2021, overseas shipments of frozen freshwater fish decreased by -3.5% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% 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 +30.6% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 39%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish exports amounted to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 24%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and Spain (X tons) were the main destinations of frozen freshwater fish exports from the Netherlands, with a combined 38% share of total exports. Portugal, Switzerland, Belgium, Nigeria, Cameroon, Italy, Egypt, Japan and Malta lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Malta (with a CAGR of +77.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for frozen freshwater fish exported from the Netherlands were Switzerland ($X), Germany ($X) and France ($X), together accounting for 50% of total exports. These countries were followed by Italy, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon and Malta, which together accounted for a further 32%.

Malta, with a CAGR of +48.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average frozen freshwater fish export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 19% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, frozen freshwater fish export price decreased by -11.8% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Cameroon ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Japan (+11.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Imports

Imports into the Netherlands

Frozen freshwater fish imports into the Netherlands reduced slightly to X tons in 2021, with a decrease of -3.3% against the previous year's figure. In general, total imports indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +76.2% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 40%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish imports dropped slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +20.8% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of frozen freshwater fish to the Netherlands, accounting for a 30% share of total imports. Moreover, frozen freshwater fish imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), fourfold. Chile (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Germany totaled +4.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+6.0% per year) and Chile (0.0% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of frozen freshwater fish to the Netherlands, comprising 19% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with an 8.7% share of total imports. It was followed by Iceland, with a 7.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Germany totaled +1.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+7.3% per year) and Iceland (+5.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average frozen freshwater fish import price amounted to $X per ton, approximately mirroring the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 30%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Denmark ($X per ton), while the price for Lithuania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Norway (+6.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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