EUMOFA Monthly Highlights No. 2/2026 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 bivalves. The case studies featured this month are: “Sharks and rays in the EU” and “Cod in Portugal”.

MACROECONOMIC CONTEXT. Average prices for marine fuel in January 2026 ranged between 0,56 and 0,65 EUR/litre in ports in France, Italy, Spain and the UK. Prices increased by an average of about 0,4% compared with the previous month and decreased by an average of 19,0% compared with the same month in 2025.

FIRST SALES IN EUROPE. The overall value of first sales in the period January - November in 2025 was 3,76 billion euros, a 3% increase compared to 2024, and a 1% decrease compared to 2023. Overall volume was 1,9 million tonnes, a 4% decrease compared to 2024, and an 11% decrease compared to 2023. In January-November 2025, first-sales value of “Bivalves and other molluscs and aquatic invertebrates” amounted to 229,7 million euros, a stable value compared to the same period in 2024. Scallop and whelk were the main commercial species driving the increase in value of the commodity group (+11%, +6%, respectively), while the decrease in volume was mainly due to clam (-18%).

EXTRA-EU IMPORTS of bivalves in the period from January to November 2025 accounted for a total value of 657,1 million euros and a total volume of 135.644 tonnes. Compared to the same period in 2024, the value increased by 9% and the volume increased by 7%.

CONSUMPTION. Between December 2022 and November 2025, household consumption of bivalves 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.

SHARKS AND RAYS IN THE EU. In 2023, blue sharks dominated reported catches, accounting for 64% of EU shark catches and 50% of global blue shark catches. Meanwhile, thornback ray catches continued a steady rise, increasing from 4,295 tonnes in 2014 to 5,742 tonnes in 2023.

COD IN PORTUGAL. In 2024, Portuguese imports of cod products amounted to 88.203 tonnes for a value of 705 million euros. Frozen products accounted for 44% of the import volumes and 27% of the import value. Dried (37%) and salted (32%) cod accounted for most of the imported volumes.

Monthly Highlights 2/2026 is available for download here.

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