A study requested by the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries explored methods to improve the competitiveness of the EU’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
The report “Options for enhancing competitiveness” revealed that Morocco ranked third in fish product exports to the EU in 2022, with a value of €1.61 billion. Norway and China held the top two positions.
The study highlighted a significant rise (157%) in EU seafood imports between 2008 and 2022, attributed to factors like inflation, high shipping costs, and a weaker euro. Salmon (€8.58 billion) topped the list of imported species, followed by crustaceans (€5.6 billion+), groundfish, and tuna.
Morocco emerged as a major player in squid exports, ranking third globally behind the Falkland Islands and India. The EU imported over 21,000 tons of Moroccan squid in 2022, contributing to the total import volume of 232,000 tons (€1.3 billion).
The EU imported nearly 496,000 tons of small pelagic fish, including sardines and anchovies. Morocco was a key exporter, following Norway, the UK, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. Notably, EU sardine imports reached €182 million in 2022, with Morocco supplying a staggering 93% of non-EU sardines.
The report expressed concern about the EU’s growing reliance on imports, suggesting a lack of competitiveness in the domestic fisheries and aquaculture sector.
The report recommended stronger coordination between trade and fisheries policies, particularly during trade agreement negotiations regarding fisheries, analysis assessing the economic and social effects of free trade agreements on the EU’s fisheries sector, and preventive Measures: Implementing safeguards when necessary to protect the EU’s fisheries industry.
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