Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) - Economic report on the fish processing industry (STECF 25-15)

Commission Decision of 25 February 2016 setting up a Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, C(2016) 1084, OJ C 74, 26.2.2016, p. 4–10. The Commission may consult the group on any matter relating to marine and fisheries biology, fishing gear technology, fisheries economics, fisheries governance, ecosystem effects of fisheries, aquaculture or similar disciplines. In 2023, the EU fish processing industry comprised 3 245 main-activity enterprises, employing around 102 000 FTE and generating turnover of EUR 33.5 billion. The sector recovered strongly after the pandemic, with gross value added reaching EUR 8.7 billion, up 48% from 2022, and operating cash flow of EUR 5.2 billion, doubling from previous year. Labour productivity rose also by about 50%. Raw materials remain the dominant cost component (71% of production costs). Energy costs stabilised in 2023 after the sharp 2022 increase related to the energy crisis. Overall, the report highlights that 2023 was an exceptionally positive year for the sector, marked by simultaneous increases in productivity, margins, and profitability, likely reflecting a combination of production efficiency, higher selling prices, and market consolidation in the post-pandemic phase.