Seafood market in Cadiz, Spain.
Photo: Irina Schmidt / Adobe Stock.
A new Eurobarometer survey on EU consumer habits regarding fishery and aquaculture products has found that while seafood remains a staple in European diets, overall consumption frequency is declining.
The survey, published online by the European Commission, was conducted between September and October 2024 across the 27 EU Member States, gathered insights from 26,510 respondents of various social and demographic backgrounds.
According to the data, 58% of Europeans consume fish at home at least once a month. However, only one-third of respondents eat fishery and aquaculture products weekly, reflecting a 4% decline compared to the previous survey in 2021.
At the same time, the number of respondents who never consume these products at home has risen to 15%, a 4% increase over the same period.
The most influential factor in purchasing decisions, according to the survey, is cost, with 55% of consumers prioritizing price over appearance (52%). According to the report, this marks a shift in consumer behavior, likely influenced by economic pressures, wherby frozen and tinned fish products are seeing increased purchases due to their affordability and convenience, overtaking consumption of fresh fish.
The data also reveals that proximity to the sea plays a significant role in fish consumption patterns, with those living closer to the coast showing a greater level of seafood consumption.
The survey found that 79% of respondents living within 5 kilometers of the coast consume fishery and aquaculture products at least once a month, compared to just 49% of those living over 200 kilometers inland.
Coastal residents also showed a stronger preference for wild-caught products (43%) over farmed options (27%), while landlocked country residents reported a greater level of indifference between the two.
The survey also found that consumers continue to demand clear and detailed labelling on fishery and aquaculture products, with the most sought-after details including expiration date, species name, method of production (wild or farmed), and origin. The survey found that 69% of respondents consider the date of catch or harvest important, while 36% desire more environmental information.
The 2024 survey included questions about seaweed and algae consumption for the first time, finding that two-thirds of respondents reported having eaten algae-based foods at least once in the past year, mainly in the form of sushi rolls or wraps. Half of the participants expressed a liking for their taste, and one-third indicated they believed algae products offer health benefits, the survey found.
The Special Eurobarometer is the fourth such survey conducted on this topic.
The results echo findings from the EU Fish Market Report 2024 published in December 2024, which revealed a sharp decline in at-home fresh seafood consumption among EU households in 2023, reversing a positive trend observed during the pandemic years.
