Why does this matter? The EU Fish Market Report has been published annually by the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA) since 2014, offering key insights into market behaviour, consumer patterns and policy outcomes. The report underscores the importance of market transparency to inform EU policymaking and promote a better understanding of shifting dynamics in the sector. It also allows for closer examination of the underlying factors influencing current trends in pricing.

Rising prices, falling consumption – While data shows a 4% increase in overall spending, this does not reflect higher consumption. Instead, the cost of seafood per unit has risen, meaning households are paying more for less. This trend is part of wider food inflation across Europe, with aquatic food prices increasing by 25% between 2020 and 2024 – less than the 28% for meat and 32% for food overall.

Unpredictable input costs – In aquaculture, much of the rising cost pressure stems from rising input prices. Feed and transport costs have climbed, largely driven by fluctuating energy markets and geopolitical uncertainty. The report highlights these disruptions as central to the price surge, indicating that stabilising supply chains, particularly energy and logistics, could help address the problem.

Energy as a key vulnerability – Aquaculture is notably energy-intensive. Electricity makes up a significant proportion of operational costs. The recent energy crisis has exposed one of the industry’s main vulnerabilities – its dependency on fossil fuels. As these energy sources become more expensive or unpredictable, production costs increase accordingly. In response, the European Commission launched an action plan in 2023 to decarbonise EU fisheries and aquaculture. Its goal is to achieve a carbon-neutral sector by 2050 through energy efficiency improvements and a shift to renewable sources.

Decarbonisation and local energy – For aquaculture to have long-term resilience and sustainability, reliance on fossil fuels must be reduced. Decarbonisation makes the industry less vulnerable to external shocks by decentralising energy production. This can be achieved even on a small scale. Fisheries and farms could install clean energy systems locally, such as compact wind turbines and floating solar panels. Pilot schemes are currently testing floating wind farms tailored for marine aquaculture use. These innovations are gaining momentum, with companies such as Alotta, a Norwegian floating solar firm, recently raising NOK63.5 million ($6.2m) to globally scale its renewable floating solar model for aquaculture energy.

Efficiency through AI – Savings can also be made through more efficient systems and processes. Feed accounts for around 60% of total production expenses in aquaculture. Inefficiencies such as overfeeding not only raise costs but also pollutes aquatic environments. However, recent developments in AI have brought promising solutions. AI-powered systems are now capable of monitoring fish behaviour, water quality and health indicators in real time, allowing for precise feed management.

Smarter systems – Companies such as aquaManger are using advanced sensors and AI-enabled cameras to track key metrics including oxygen levels, temperature and behaviour which all contribute towards appetite. This technology supports data-driven decisions on feeding schedules, helping to enhance survival rates and optimise resource use. It demonstrates that energy efficiency and digital innovation can go hand in hand, delivering economic and environmental benefits across the sector.

Addressing vulnerability – The EU Fish Market Report 2025 illustrates that while higher prices and lower consumption reflect present challenges, they also signal where interventions are needed. From smarter feeding systems to decentralised renewable energy, the path forward lies in innovation, efficiency and sustainability. Aquafood has already been flagged as part of a climate solution with blue foods generating minimal CO2 emissions, providing a greener protein alternative to meat. The right investment today could build a more resilient, affordable and environmentally sound aquaculture industry for the future.