EU FISHERIES REMAINED AHEAD OF AQUACULTURE IN 2022

EU fisheries remained ahead of aquaculture in 2022
In 2022, the EU’s aquatic animal production stood at 4.2 million tonnes, with landings of fisheries contributing to an estimated 3.1 million tonnes and aquaculture reaching 1.1 million tonnes.
This means that fisheries’ catches remain the main source of aquatic animals in the EU, accounting for 74% of the total production.
In terms of value, EU fisheries’ catches landed reached an estimated €6.2 billion, while aquaculture production amounted to €4.9 billion. The average price for fishery products was therefore €1.9 per kilo and €4.5 per kilo for aquaculture aquatic animals.
The situation in the EU is unlike the global trend, where a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently stated that in 2022 and for the first time in history, “aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries as the main producer of aquatic animals.”
The 2024 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) said global fisheries and aquaculture production in 2022 surged to 223.2 million tonnes, a 4.4 percent increase from the year 2020. Production comprised 185.4 million tonnes of aquatic animals and 37.8 million tonnes of algae.
In 2022 and for the first time in history, aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries as the main producer of aquatic animals. Global aquaculture production reached an unprecedented 130.9 million tonnes, of which 94.4 million tonnes are aquatic animals, 51 percent of the total aquatic animal production.
Aquaculture growth indicates its capacity to further contribute to meeting the rising global demand for aquatic foods, but future expansion and intensification must prioritise sustainability and benefit regions and communities most in need.
At present, a small number of countries dominate aquaculture. Ten of them – China, Indonesia, India, Viet Nam, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Norway, Egypt, and Chile – produced over 89.8 percent of the total. But many low-income countries in Africa and Asia are not using their full potential. Targeted policies, technology transfer, capacity building and responsible investment are crucial to boost sustainable aquaculture where it is most needed, especially in Africa.