Issue 8/2020 August 2020
Latest trends Indications point to low demand in Europe, although the Asian market is picking up. Shrimp prices are increasing due to limited arrivals, especially from India. Tuna prices are also rising, as catch restrictions have translated into lower landings. Summer is normally a major sales period for cephalopods and bivalves, but this year the impact of COVID-19 is still being felt by the restaurant trade, especially in the main tourist areas. Prices for these species are generally trending downward.
GROUNDFISH As the COVID-19 pandemic lingers on, its effects on the groundfish market are worsening. In particular, prices for fresh groundfish are under pressure, while frozen and packaged products remain the preferred choice among consumers. Consumption of wet-salted cod fillets from frozen raw material (Gadus macrocephalus), and wet-salted cod fillets (Gadus morhua) from fresh raw material of Faroese and Icelandic origin has been affected by the arrival of the summer. As is typically the case, the holiday season combined with the warm weather has led to a drop in consumption of these kinds of products. At the same time, Southern European importers are currently distributing the stocks still remaining in their warehouses. The combination of these factors is expected to lead to a slight fall in price. The Russian Scientific Fishery Institute has revised its quota
advice for whitefish, and has increased the Alaska pollock quota slightly for 2021, to 3.2 million tonnes. Over the past ten years, Russia’s TAC has fluctuated between 2.76 million 1 tonnes and 3.21 million tonnes. The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted economic hardship on the European consumer, and has brought about a number of
Index for prices Groundfish
8
Flatfish
9
Tuna
10
Small Pelagics
10
Cephalopods
11
Crustaceans
12
Bivalves
14
Salmon
14
Trout
15
Freshwater fish
15
Non Traditional Species
15
Seabass-SeabreamMeagre
16
The European Fish Price Report, based on information supplied by industry correspondents, aims to provide guidance on broad price trends. Price information is indicative and should be used only for forecasting medium- and long-term trends. FAO is not responsible for any errors or omissions.