The European Union’s aquatic animal production stood at 4.2 million tonnes in 2022, with fisheries landings contributing an estimated 3.1 million tonnes and aquaculture reaching 1.1 million tonnes, according to the latest data issued by Eurostat.

EU aquaculture

EU aquaculture

EU fisheries remained ahead of aquaculture in 2022

The analysis therefore determines that fisheries’ catches remain the main source of aquatic animals in the EU, accounting for 74% of the total production.

In terms of value, EU fisheries’ catches landed reached an estimated €6.2 billion, while aquaculture production amounted to €4.9 billion. The average price for fishery products was therefore €1.9 per kg and €4.5 per kg for aquaculture aquatic animals.

The situation in the EU is unlike the global trend, where a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently stated that in 2022 and for the first time in history, “aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries as the main producer of aquatic animals”.

Value-of-aquaculture-in-the-EU-2013-2022

Value-of-aquaculture-in-the-EU-2013-2022

In 2022, EU fisheries’ catches landed reached an estimated €6.2 billion, while aquaculture production amounted to €4.9 billion