SEAFISH LAUNCHES 2026 SEAFOOD PROCESSING CENSUS TO STRENGTHEN INDUSTRY EVIDENCE

Seafish launches 2026 Seafood Processing Census to strengthen industry evidence. Read Fish Focus’ next edition focusing on seafood processing here.

The 2026 Seafood Processing Census from Seafish will run from April to June, collecting vital information from seafood processing businesses across the UK to ensure the scale and performance of the sector is accurately measured.

The annual census plays a key role in building a reliable picture of the UK seafood processing industry. Its findings are shared with both industry stakeholders and government, helping to inform business decisions, economic analysis and policy development.

Seafish is encouraging all UK seafood processors to take part this year, stressing that strong participation will help ensure the sector’s voice is supported by robust evidence.

Why participation matters

The seafood processing sector continues to operate in a rapidly changing environment. Businesses are navigating a range of challenges including evolving regulatory frameworks, new trading relationships, immigration policy changes affecting workforce availability and rising operating and energy costs.

Up-to-date data is therefore essential to ensure that both industry and policymakers have an accurate understanding of what is happening in the sector.

Information gathered through the census enables Seafish to assess the financial performance and socio-economic importance of seafood processing in the UK. This includes measuring employment levels and the sector’s contribution to Gross Value Added (GVA).

The more businesses that participate, the stronger and more representative the evidence base becomes. Census data also directly informs Seafish’s work to support processors and strengthens engagement with policymakers on issues that matter most to the industry.

Supporting the case for Energy Intensive Industry status

Alongside the 2026 census, Seafish is also collecting updated financial and energy data to support the seafood processing sector’s potential inclusion in the Energy Intensive Industry Scheme (EII).

The EII scheme allows businesses operating in electricity-intensive sectors to claim exemptions from certain policy-related energy costs. These costs – including the Contracts for Difference, Renewables Obligation, and Feed‑in Tariff Scheme – currently account for around 8–16% of electricity bills.

Eligible sectors can receive exemptions of up to 100% of these costs and future government policy could potentially reduce overall electricity bills by up to 25% from 2027.

Although seafood processing is not currently included in the scheme, new analysis conducted by Seafish shows the sector exceeds the eligibility thresholds set by the Department for Business and Trade.

The analysis found:

• Average electricity intensity: 12% (DBT threshold: 7%)
• Average trade intensity: 43% (DBT threshold: 4%)

These results demonstrate that UK seafood processing qualifies as both energy- and trade-intensive under the current criteria.

If the sector gains eligibility, processors with high electricity usage could achieve annual savings estimated between £113,000 and £362,000 per business.

Next steps for the sector

The Department for Business and Trade has indicated that a review of sector eligibility for the EII scheme is expected in 2026.

To ensure seafood processing is considered, Seafish is gathering updated data from businesses through the census. The evidence collected will form the basis of an application for sector-level eligibility, meaning participation in the census will directly support the industry’s case.

2026 census timeline

The processing census will follow a clear schedule throughout the year:

• April – June: Survey period
• July – September: Data collation and analysis
• October – December: Results shared with industry and government

How to take part

Participation in the census is straightforward and designed to minimise disruption for businesses.

Processors will be asked to take part in:

• A 10–15 minute phone call covering:
  • Main business activities
  • Species processed
  • Workforce size and structure
• Accounts information to supplement publicly available data
• A short financial and energy questionnaire where applicable

Seafish will contact seafood processing businesses directly. Companies interested in registering early or nominating a colleague to respond can contact the organisation in advance.

How the data is used

Information from previous processing censuses has already supported a range of important industry initiatives.

These include providing evidence to government on industry margins and energy cost pressures, supporting engagement on migration policy and workforce requirements, offering import and export guidance following the UK’s exit from the EU and demonstrating the sector’s contribution to local employment and regional economies.

By participating, processors help ensure that policy discussions affecting the seafood industry are backed by credible data.

Get in touch

For questions about the 2026 seafood processing census or to discuss how industry data could support your business, contact Seafish at: processingenquiries@seafish.co.uk

Image: Seafish