Salmon was the most popular species amongst Germany consumers in 2023, overtaking Alaska pollock. Pictured: Seafood counter at Viktualienmarkt Daily Food Market in Munich, Germany.
Adobe Stock.
Despite the significant rise in the cost of living, consumers in Germany are spending more on fish and seafood than ever before.
According to the German fish and seafood organization, the Fish Information Center (FIZ), the preliminary per capita consumption for the country as a whole in 2023 is estimated at 12.5 kilograms (kg), a figure slightly lower than the previous year.
However, in a surprising trend, household spending on fish and seafood increased by 3.7% in 2023, indicating that Germans continue to prioritize fish as a staple of their diet despite inflationary pressures, the organization said.
The FIZ data, presented by FIZ Chairwoman Petra Weigl and Managing Director Dr. Stefan Meyer at a recent press conference, show that while the per capita consumption has been relatively stable, ranging from 12.5 kg to 15 kg in recent years, 2023 saw a decline of 8.8% in consumption.
Nevertheless, Germans spent more on fish than in previous years, with total spending reaching over 5 billion euros—a 10.2% increase compared to 2019, prior to the pandemic.
The increase in spending can be attributed to rising prices within the fish and seafood industry, the FIZ analysts say. The average price of fish products reached a new high of 12.13 euros per kilogram in 2023, with smoked fish particularly affected, hitting a record price of 22.56 euros per kilogram in December.
Despite these price hikes, consumers in Germany demonstrated a continued appreciation for fish, with spending levels surpassing the past decade, except for the peak during the first lockdown year of 2021.
Salmon emerged as the most popular choice, with a per capita consumption of 2.4 kg in 2023, reclaiming the top spot from Alaska pollock. In total, 198,128 tonnes of salmon were consumed across Germany last year. Other popular fish include Alaska pollock, tuna, herring, and shrimp.
FIZ's figures on fish purchases by German households incorporates data from the Society for Consumer Research (Consumer Panel Germany GfK). "In contrast to per capita consumption, which is calculated based on the catch weight (whole fish) and relates to all sales channels, the GfK purchasing data only shows the amount that private households buy for consumption at home (product weight)," FIZ representatives explain.
The figures show marked regional differences in fish consumption across Germany. Although North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, bought the highest overall quantity of fish and seafood products in 2023, the northern coastal state of Schleswig-Holstein showed the highest household consumption, with per capita fish purchases at 6.7 kg, followed by Bremen and Hamburg. In contrast, the landlocked southern state of Baden-Württemberg recorded the lowest consumption, with 4.7 kg per capita.
Germany's coastal states, where fish is a more integral part of the local diet, consistently showed higher consumption rates than inland regions, the FIZ analysts noted.
"We are pleased that consumers remain loyal to fish and seafood and show so much appreciation," said Weigl in a press release.
Dr. Meyer, a marine biologist, also emphasized the role of sustainable fishing and aquaculture in reducing environmental impact, encouraging consumers to choose sustainably sourced products.
"Fish is not only particularly valuable for health, but sustainable fishing and aquaculture also helps to reduce one's personal ecological footprint," said Meyer.