Price Bonanza in European Farmed Fish Market in 2022

From increased bass and bream supply to price bonanza in European farmed fish markets, bass and bream prices have risen steeply in the last weeks. 

Last time we checked in on the world of seabass and seabream, we noted that there were an increased bass and bream supply and high prices for whole fresh seabass and seabream. Now, what has happened in the last month that is worth taking note of?

Seabass and especially seabream prices have risen steeply in the last weeks. It is interesting to compare the bass and bream prices with salmon. In the bass and bream world, Turkey is the largest global producer based outside the EU but exporting most of their volume to the EU. Likewise in salmon, Norway is the largest global producer and based outside the EU, with main markets in the EU. Although the main product exported for both is fresh the difference is that Turkey exports mostly round fish, whereas Norway exports mostly head on gutted (HOG) fish.

Currently (week 15) prices for fresh whole round European seabass imported from Turkey to the EU have crossed the 6 €/kg level. Current) prices for fresh whole round Gilthead seabream imported from Turkey to the EU have crossed the 5 €/kg level.  In comparison fresh whole HOG salmon exported from Norway to the EU is getting very close to €10/kg mark. Whereas salmon price have fluctuated a lot 2021, over 40% in 2021, bass and bream prices were less fluctuating. Bream prices, exported from Turkey to the EU, have been steady around the 4 €/kg mark. Seabass prices have steadily risen in 2021 with 15-20% from 4.5 €/kg to 5.25 €/kg. Year to date prices have soared with over 20% for seabass, 30% for seabream and nearly 50% for salmon. Looking back at prices exactly 1 year ago we see that prices have soared with 40%, 30% and 60% for seabass, seabream and respectively salmon.

This is an extraction from our Monthly Seabass and Seabream report. Want to be up to date on news such as this? Subscribe to our monthly report today.