Fisheries and aquaculture in Germany - statistics & facts
Fisheries and aquaculture in Germany are facing challenges: the effects of climate change and environmental pollution, energy costs, and labor shortage. German sea fishery landings both inland and abroad amounted to around 150,250 tons of catch weight in 2022. Figures have been decreasing in recent years and may also be related to overfishing, which leads to a depleting fish supply. Landings comprise the part of the catch that is transferred ashore. Catch is an encompassing term meaning marine animals removed from the marine environment.
While fisheries and aquaculture are influenced by external factors that adversely impact labor and production or processing, river and ocean pollution issues are affecting the food on consumer's plates. A prime example is plastic waste that finds its way inside marine animals, consequently negatively affecting not only consumer products, but marine populations as such on a long-term scale. This net of factors is only getting more tangled with time, and solutions are needed.
A pretty kettle of fish
A wide variety of fish products are available on the German market. Preserves and marinades made up the highest share of sales in 2023, at 27 percent, followed by frozen fish, then crustaceans and molluscs. Frozen fish is one of the staples of the frozen food market in Germany, though not as frequently bought as other frozen food products. Fish retail revenue decreased somewhat in recent years, with around five billion euros generated in 2023. While shopping at a fish market or market in general may be appealing for those looking for as fresh a catch as possible (unless they caught it themselves), retail establishments might still be the preferred option for consumers, as prices there are often still cheaper.A fish out of water
Germany relies on several European countries for its fish imports. Data on the self-sufficiency rate for fish and fish products in the country confirms this, with 17 percent recorded in 2023. This rate had also decreased in recent years. Based on import volume, the leading suppliers are Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands, all well-known for their individual fishing and fishery production industries. In fact, they are also known beyond Europe, with Norway being ranked as one of the leading frozen fish exporters worldwide. Germany has not yet made that list, but German fish exports are also in demand around Europe. Based on export volume, Denmark was the leading export market, with over 28,000 tons coming in from Germany in 2023. The Netherlands and France rounded up the top three.While fisheries and aquaculture are influenced by external factors that adversely impact labor and production or processing, river and ocean pollution issues are affecting the food on consumer's plates. A prime example is plastic waste that finds its way inside marine animals, consequently negatively affecting not only consumer products, but marine populations as such on a long-term scale. This net of factors is only getting more tangled with time, and solutions are needed.
