EUMOFA Monthly Highlights No. 1/2026 is online

This month’s issue analyses the evolution of first sales at the commodity group level and the first sales in EU Member States. It examines the consumption and extra-EU imports of cephalopods. The case studies featured this month are: “Fisheries and aquaculture in the Faroe Islands” and “Norway lobster in the EU”.

MACROECONOMIC CONTEXT. Average prices for marine fuel in December 2025 ranged between 0,50 and 0,65 EUR/litre in ports in France, Italy, Spain and the UK. Prices decreased by an average of about 8,8% compared with the previous month and by an average of 13,9% compared with the same month in 2024.

FIRST SALES IN EUROPE. The overall value of first sales in the period January - October in 2025 was EUR 3,4 billion, a 4% increase compared to 2024, and a stable value compared to 2023. Overall volume was 1,8 million tonnes, a 3% decrease compared to 2024, and an 11% decrease compared to 2023. In 2025, first-sales value of “Cephalopods” totalled EUR 259,7 million, a 7% increase compared to 2024. Octopus (+34%) was the main commercial species driving the growth in first-sales value, while squid and cuttlefish were the main species (-17% and -8%) driving the decrease in first-sales volume.

EXTRA-EU IMPORTS of cephalopods in the period from January to October 2025 accounted for a total value of EUR 2,9 million and a total volume of 475.604 tonnes. Compared to the same period in 2024, the value increased by 21% and the volume increased by 8%.

CONSUMPTION. Between November 2022 and October 2025, household consumption of cephalopods was monitored in ten Member States: Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden. During this period, consumption volumes and prices showed a downward trend in volume and slightly upward trend in price.

The most recent consumption data can be accessed here.

FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE IN THE FAROE ISLANDS. Salmon farming is the most important aquaculture activity in the Faroe Islands. The industry originally focused on sea trout, but in the 1980s it shifted to Atlantic salmon. Today, almost all aquaculture in the Faroes is dedicated to breeding and exporting Atlantic salmon.

NORWAY LOBSTER IN THE EU. In 2023, EU-27 catches of Norway lobster reached 19.459 tonnes. The main EU producers were Ireland (35% of the total EU catch), Denmark (24%) and France (13%). Other significant producers were Sweden (8%), the Netherlands (4%), Spain (4%), and Italy (4%).

Monthly Highlights 1/2026 is available for download here.

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