EUMOFA Monthly Highlights No. 2/2025 is online

This month’s issue analyses first-sales evolution at commodity group level and first sales of EU Member States. The case studies of this month are: “Fisheries and aquaculture in Peru” and “EU-MERCOSUR trade agreement: state of play”.

MACROECONOMIC CONTEXT. Average prices for marine fuel in January 2025 ranged between 0,63 and 0,79 EUR/litre in ports in France, Italy, Spain and the UK. Prices increased by an average of about 6,8% compared with the previous month, and decreased by an average of 4,1% compared with the same month in 2024.

FIRST SALES IN EUROPE. Between January and November 2024, first-sales values for key European fish categories declined, with bivalves and other molluscs at EUR 227.91 million (-12%), cephalopods at EUR 269.9 million (-3%), and flatfish at EUR 270.6 million (-12%), while salmonids saw a 54% increase, reaching EUR 4.75 million. In November 2024, Germany experienced a decrease in shrimp sales due to bad weather, and Ireland and Lithuania saw increases in sales of other marine fish, especially boarfish, and smelt, respectively. The Netherlands experienced drops in herring and mackerel sales, while Sweden saw growth in sprat and herring sales.

EXTRA-EU IMPORTS. Between January and September 2024, Italy imported 34,864 tonnes of squid, a 22% increase compared to 2023, while the average price decreased by 14%. The main suppliers were India (23%), Thailand, and Argentina.

CONSUMPTION. In November 2023, household consumption of cephalopods in Italy reached 17,788 tonnes valued at €234.83 million, with octopus and squid as the main species, while in Portugal, consumption totalled 4,511 tonnes worth €37.83 million, primarily octopus.

The most recent consumption data can be accessed here.

FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE IN PERU. In 2024, Peru's fishmeal production is estimated at 1.1 million tonnes and fish oil at 140,000 tonnes, with China dominating as the top market, receiving 87% of fishmeal exports by August, while key fish oil buyers include China, Canada, Chile, Denmark, and Norway.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE AGREEMENT: STATE OF PLAY. Production in Mercosur countries has steadily increased and accelerated over 2017-2022, with an increase of 11% in supply growth over the decade (2013-2022). In 2022, production increased by 4% compared to the previous year. Aquaculture production increased in particular (+57% over the decade) whilst catches slowed down (-1%).

Monthly Highlights 2/2025 is available for download here.

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