The EU remains heavily dependent on imported seafood, with import reliance reaching 62.6% of total Supply in 2024, according to the EU Seafood Supply Synopsis 2025 published by Seafood Europe.

Domestic catches and aquaculture together covered just 31% of the available food supply, and only 15% of actual consumption once exports are excluded.

Imports Still Dominate the Market

The report shows total EU seafood supply at 12.8 million tonnes in 2024, with 8.8 million tonnes imported from third countries. Total consumption reached 10.7 million tonnes, equal to 23.8 kg per capita – slightly up from 22.7 kg the year before.

Despite a minor rise in EU production, imports remain vital for maintaining both supply and species diversity. Exports totalled 2 million tonnes, equivalent to half of the EU’s domestic Supply.

Russia Sanctions Disrupt Whitefish Trade

Russia’s exclusion from the EU’s Autonomous Tariff Quota (ATQ) system in 2024 and the 2025 blacklisting of fishing giants Norebo and Murman Sea Food have severely reduced access to key raw materials.

All Russian-origin cod and pollock— even when reprocessed in China—are now subject to complete import duties.

The result has been an 8–10% drop in EU whitefish throughput in 2025 and a “two-tier market” where buyers increasingly compete for certified Norwegian and U.S. fish.

Royal Greenland described the situation as a “cod crisis moment” after demand for non-certified cod outpaced certified offers for the first time.

Whitefish Supply Under Pressure

Whitefish remains the backbone of the EU processing industry, accounting for 2.36 million tonnes in 2024—94% of which was imported. Cod and Alaska pollock were the leading species with 684,000 and 779,000 tonnes respectively.

Sourcing patterns shifted significantly: U.S. exports of Alaska pollock to the EU jumped 76% in 2024, while Chinese re-exports dropped 46%. Meanwhile, total EU landings of whitefish fell 11% year-on-year, with notable declines in hake, saithe and redfish.

ATQs and Trade Rules Remain Vital

The industry stresses that maintaining flexible Autonomous Tariff Quotas is crucial to prevent job losses and production shifts outside the EU. The current 2024–2026 ATQ regime excludes Russia and Belarus for the first time, and the Commission is considering introducing sustainability criteria after 2026.

Processors warn that higher duties would raise consumer prices, reduce competitiveness, and undermine Europe’s seafood security.