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    Home > Food News > Food Articles > 70% of imports are needed, and the self-sufficiency rate of seafood in the EU is at a record low

    70% of imports are needed, and the self-sufficiency rate of seafood in the EU is at a record low

    • Last Update: 2022-10-19
    • Source: Internet
    • Author: User
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    According to the annual fish report of the European Association of Fish Processors and Traders (AIPCE-CEP), the EU has been highly dependent on seafood imports for many years, with self-sufficiency levels falling to historic lows
    in 2021.
     
    AIPCE said seafood production in the EU fell in 2021, with self-sufficiency falling to a record low of around 35%, compared to a 10-year average of more than 42%.

    This year, the EU's seafood self-sufficiency rate is expected to decline further, to 33%.

     
    Of the total supply of 12.
    5 million mt in 2021, imports accounted for 9 million mt, or 72%, while EU domestic supply fell to 3.
    5 million mt
    .
    By 2022, AIPCE forecasts a further 7% decline in total supply to 11.
    6 million mt, with declines in
    both imports and domestic production.
    While the worst effects of the coronavirus appear to have eased in Europe, many related supply chain issues are still not being able to return to the previous terms of
    trade, AIPCE said.
     
    Due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it has been accompanied by unprecedented energy and fuel price increases, which have also affected the cost of
    other raw materials and inputs in the global food market.
    EU sanctions against Russia have also made sourcing seafood from Russia more difficult, with processors likely to face a significant period of uncertainty that further complicates
    planning and investment decisions, the report said.
    In 2022, processors will face additional challenges
    from fuel prices, energy costs and rising dollar and euro exchange rates, he said.
     
    Fisheries and trade experts at the Dutch Fish Federation (Visfederatie) said: "All these things have an impact
    on the procurement of raw materials and their transport into the EU for processing and final consumption.
     
    The outlook for the seafood industry is promising as more European consumers look for healthy foods from natural resources, but the analysis suggests that foreign imports are critical
    to meeting consumer demand, the report said.
     
    A typical example is whitefish, especially Alaskan pollock, on which the EU is 100% dependent on supplies from the United States, China and Russia
    .
     
    The EU's total demand for Alaskan pollock and imports reached 808,000 tonnes in
    2021.
    The United States accounts for 38% of total supply, followed by China with 35% and Russia with 25%.

    However, AIPCE-CEP says more than 95 percent of Alaskan pollock imports from China come from Russia
    .
     
    Similarly, the EU is heavily dependent on other countries for cod, with 95% of its demand coming from imports
    .
    In 2021, the EU's own cod fishery accounted for only 5% of supply, at 41,000 tonnes
    .
    The other 850,000 tons were mainly imported
    from Norway, Iceland and Russia.
     
    With the various sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union, Britain and the United States, "you're already seeing changes in terms of procurement," he said
    .
    But for Alaskan pollock, it is difficult to source
    from other countries than Russia.
     
    Despite its dependence on imports, the EU wants to increase its domestic production to maximize seafood supply
    .
    "We should step up our efforts to improve EU fisheries and aquaculture production, because we need these raw materials for the processing industry, while also taking into account the increased competition for global seafood imports," he said
    .
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