September 2021 9/2021
Latest trends These summer months have been characterized by strong demand, especially from the restaurant sector, and limited supply. The main tourist countries, such as Italy and Spain, reported a demand boom as restaurants reopened, together with a variety of other foodservice businesses. These sales consist primarily of high-end seafood products, including lobster, cephalopods, and shrimp. The improved market situation saw prices of seafood increase in the southern part of the continent by some 30 percent in just three months. At the same time, however, retailers have been encountering problems securing sufficient supply. Among the products which are practically impossible to find on the market are tuna for fresh consumption and octopus. As a result, seafood, particularly wild seafood, is increasingly becoming a product only available to higher-income households. Others have been looking for cheaper alternatives, which includes the major aquaculture species such as salmon, seabass, and seabream. The increase in fuel prices has also driven up the cost of fishing operations, meaning that the price hikes are likely to continue into the last quarter of the year.
GROUNDFISH Similarly, to other capture-sourced products, cod and hake are in limited supply all over the continent. Prices are rising daily, and further increases are likely. Meanwhile, prices for cultured turbot in Spain, the main producing country, are reportedly stable despite high demand.
1
Index for prices
Groundfish
8
Flatfish
9
Tuna
10
Small Pelagics
11
Cephalopods
11
Crustaceans
13
Bivalves
14
Salmon
15
Trout
15
Freshwater fish
16
Non Traditional Species
17
Seabass-SeabreamMeagre
18
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.