The fish and seafood market - France (2024)

1.2 Global market

World fish production by continent World, ****, in Source: ****

This graph shows the breakdown of world fish production by continent in ****.Asia dominateswith **% of total production, followed byAmerica with **% andEurope with *%. The continents of Africa and Oceania account for smaller shares, with *% and *% of production respectively.

This breakdown highlights the importance of Asia in the global fishing industry, accounting for almost three quarters of world production. This could be explained by the importance of intensive aquaculture and fishing practices in Asia, as well as the strong local demand for seafood products in countries such as China and India.

Development of fishery and aquaculture exports by the world's leading traders World, ****-****, in Source: ****

This graph shows the trend in exports of fishery and aquaculture products between **** and **** for the world's leading exporting countries. China is the only country to record a very slight increase in exports, with growth of *.*%. By contrast, all other major market players recorded declines: norway and the European Union cut their exports by *% and *% respectively, while the United States suffered the sharpest decline at -*%, followed by Canada at -*% and Japan at -*%.

These widespread declines may point to a difficult environment for international seafood trade in ...

1.3 French market estimate

A good way to get an idea of the market for fish and other seafood products is to analyze the supply balance. This analysis enables us to understand the balance between domestic production, imports and exports, as well as the added value generated by the sector. It sheds light on France's ability to meet domestic demand, while assessing its role on the international market for fish products.

Supply balance in volume France, ****, in thousands of tons Source: ****

Then in value we obtain:

Supply balance in value France, ****, in thousands of tons Source: ****

In terms of volume, national production amounts to *** thousand tonnes, while imports reach a much higher level, at *,*** thousand tonnes. Exports, meanwhile, amounted to just *** thousand tonnes, reflecting a trade deficit in volume terms. This deficit is offset by imports, which cover domestic demand, with a total balance of *,*** thousand tonnes of products available on the French market.

In terms of value, the distribution is similar, but the gaps are widening. Domestic production is estimated at *,*** million euros, while imports reach *,*** million euros, far higher in value than the corresponding volume. Exports amount to *,*** million euros, making a positive contribution to the balance of trade in terms of value, ...

2.1 International demand as a determinant of the fishing market

Changes in international demand play a fundamental role in the development of the French fishing and aquaculture market. Exports of seafood products, which account for a substantial proportion of the sales of French fishermen and aquaculturists, bear witness to the attractiveness of French products abroad. In particular, France exports fresh fish, such as sea bass and cod, as well as shellfish, including oysters, which enjoy a reputation for quality. Thetrade surplus in certain segments, such as oysters, highlights the high competitiveness of these products on a global scale.

Value of French seafood exports France, ****, € million Source: ****

The ability of French players to meet international demand also depends on their agility in the face of global market fluctuations and foreign consumer preferences. For example, the growing demand for healthy, sustainable aquatic products in certain countries represents a growth opportunity for French producers, particularly for aquaculture products. Asian, European and North American markets are particularly keen on these products.

Finally, international demand also influences the price of French seafood products, as tensions over global resources tend to increase the value of quality fish and shellfish. In this context,exporting high value-added products, such as scallops or certain noble fish, becomes strategic. To support ...

2.2 French household consumption

Consumption breakdown France, ****, in Source: ****

This graph shows the breakdown of seafood consumption in France in ****. Farmed fish dominatesconsumption with **% of the total, indicating a strong preference for products caught in the wild. Farmed fish accounts for **% of consumption, underlining the growing importance of aquaculture in meeting demand. Fishery shellfish and cephalopods account for **% of consumption, while farmed shellfish and cephalopods represent **%.

This breakdown shows a clear predominance of fished over farmed products, with a marked preference for wild-caught fish. This trend could be explained by French consumers' perception of the better quality or superior taste of wild-caught fish.

Importantly, average annual per capita consumption is **.* kg.

French household purchases for home consumption France, ****, in Source: ****

This graph illustrates the breakdown of seafood purchases by French households for home consumption in ****. fresh products account for the largest share, with **% of purchases, followed by chilled delicatessen products, which account for **%. Canned and frozen products account for smaller shares, with **% and **% respectively.

This breakdown underlines French households' marked preference for fresh products, which are perceived as being of better quality and closer to the natural product. Refrigerated delicatessen products, which come second, also meet a demand for convenience. Canned and frozen foods, although ...

2.3 Restaurateurs, a key market driver

Restaurant spending (***) France, ****, € million Source: ****

This chart shows the sums spent by French restaurateurs in **** on different types of seafood products, expressed in millions of euros. Fish largely dominates spending with €*,*** million, followed by seafood delicatessen products at €*** million. Shellfish and crustaceans come next, with *** and *** million euros respectively. Canned goods and cephalopods account for smaller shares, at ** and ** million euros respectively.

This breakdown of expenditure highlights the importance of fresh and processed fish in the foodservice sector, probably due to their versatility and popularity on menus. Catered seafood products, such as ready-to-use preparations, also meet strong demand, simplifying the work of restaurateurs. Shellfish and crustaceans, although less in demand, still play an important role, particularly for more specific dishes.

Amount spent by restaurant type France, ****, € million Source: ****

This chart shows the sums spent by restaurant type in France in ****, in millions of euros. Commercial restaurant chains dominate spending with €*,*** million, closely followed by independent commercial catering with *** million euros and self-managed collective catering with *** million euros. Contract catering companies accounted for *** million euros.

These figures underline the importance of commercial catering chains in overall spending, probably due to their high customer volume and diversified seafood offering. Independent commercial catering and ...

2.4 The fishing fleet: a determining factor in this sector

The fishing fleet is a key element in the seafood sector, directly influencing production capacity,operational efficiency and the sustainability of fishery resources. The size, modernity and specialization of vessels are all factors that determine the competitiveness of the sector's players, their environmental impact, and their compliance with current regulations. In France, as elsewhere, fleet composition plays a crucial role in meeting demand.

However, the overall trend is downward:

number of fishing vessels in mainland France France, ****-****, in units Source: ****

There is an overall downward trend in the number of fishing boats in mainland France. Since ****, more than a third of the fleet has disappeared.

In ****, there will be *,*** fishing boats in France.

Number of fishing vessels France, ****, in units Source: ****

This graph shows the distribution of the number of fishing vessels in France in ****, with *,*** vessels in mainland France and *,*** in the French overseas departments (***). This distribution reveals a significant concentration of the fleet in mainland France, which accounts for around **% of the total.

3.1 Value chain

Value chain:

Raw material suppliers: Raw material suppliers include fishermen and fishing companies that harvest fish directly from oceans, seas or fish farms. Example: Iceland Seafood, which supplies fresh fish from Iceland.

Processors: Processors take raw fish and prepare it for consumption. This includes processing into cans, fillets or ready-made meals. Example: Saupiquet, which processes canned tuna and packages it for sale.

Wholesalers: Wholesalers buy products in large quantities from processors and resell them to retailers or other players in the supply chain. Example: Transports Frigorifiques André, which specializes in the transport and distribution of seafood products.

Retailers: Retailers are outlets that market seafood products directly to end consumers. This includes supermarkets and fishmongers. Example: Carrefour, which sells canned tuna and other seafood products on its shelves.

Exporters: Exporters are companies that buy seafood products for resale abroad, often to other countries. Example: Intermarché, which exports certain seafood products to supermarkets abroad.

Consumers: Consumers are individuals or families who buy seafood products for personal consumption. Example: A French household buying canned tuna to prepare meals.

Source: ****

3.2 Number of aquaculture companies and boats

This chart shows the distribution of retail fishmonger businesses in France by region in ****. The region with the highest number of fishmonger businesses isÎle-de-France, with *** units, probably due to its high population density and the high demand for seafood in urban areas. This is followed by coastal regions such as Nouvelle-Aquitaine (***), where access to maritime resources facilitates the establishment of fishmongers. Corsica, on the other hand, has the lowest number of fishmongers, with just ** units, which may be explained by its small size and less dense population.

This map therefore shows a concentration of fishmongers in densely populated regions or those close to the coast, where the supply of fresh, local produce is essential to meet consumer needs.

Number of jobs in the fishing and aquaculture sector France, ****, in units Source: ****

This graph shows the distribution of jobs in the fishing and aquaculture sector in France for the year ****. Small-scale fishing dominates in terms of job numbers, with *,*** positions, representing the majority of the sector's workforce. In comparison, offshore and inshore fishing employ *,*** and *,*** peoplerespectively, which are significantly lower figures. Finally, deep-sea fishing comes last, with just *,*** jobs, a much smaller number.

This distribution suggests that the most local and ...

3.3 Geography and structure of fish sales

This graph shows the distribution of the value of fresh fish landings by region in France for the year ****, expressed in millions of euros. The leading region is Brittany, with a value of *** million euros, representing the highest contribution of all regions. It is followed by Pays de la Loire with *** million euros and Nouvelle-Aquitaine with *** million euros.

This distribution can be explained by the regions' geographical location by the sea, offering direct access to marine resources and facilitating fresh fish landings. Brittany's predominance in this activity is notable, probably due to its extensive network of ports and its fishing tradition.

Declared sales by tidal halls France, ****, in thousands of euros Source: ****

This graph shows the sales declared by the tidal halls in France for the year ****, in thousands of euros. Among the halls, Le Guilvinec is the one with the highest sales value, reaching **,*** thousand euros, followed by Lorient with **,*** thousand euros and Boulogne at **,*** thousand euros. These three halls dominate sales, well ahead of the others, testifying to the importance of these sites for the marketing of seafood products.

This high concentration of sales in a few halls can be explained by their strategic location and access to fishing ...

3.4 Balance of trade

Balance of trade France, ****, in thousands of tonnes Source: ****

In ****, France's seafood trade balance shows a marked imbalance between imports and exports. Imports amount to *,*** thousand tonnes, compared with just *** thousand tonnes for exports. This imbalance highlights France's dependence on imports to meet domestic demand for seafood products, with the volume of imports far exceeding that of exports. This could be explained by consumption needs not covered by domestic production, necessitating the import of additional products.

Trade balance value France, ****, € million Source: ****

In ****, France's seafood trade balance shows a significant deficit. Imports amount to €*,*** million, while exports represent only €*,*** million. This results in a negative trade balance of -*,*** million euros, illustrating France' s heavy dependence on imported seafood products to meet domestic demand. This trade deficit could underline shortcomings in domestic production or a preference for certain foreign products.

A study of these data reveals a number of major trends: on the import side:

Evolution of imports France, ****-****, in Source: ****

Between **** and ****, imports of several seafood products into France showed significant changes. Among the biggest increases, oysters stand out with an impressive ***% rise, followed by hake with **% growth and saithe with **%. Alaska pollock and various tuna species also recorded ...

3.5 Market distribution

Seafood distribution in France is based on several channels, each playing a specific role in supplying consumers. The market is mainly divided between supermarkets, markets, fishmongers and hard discounters.

Each channel has its own characteristics, depending on the type of product (***), and this influences the way in which seafood products are perceived and consumed. Supermarkets, with their ability to offer large volumes at competitive prices, dominate the market, followed by fishmongers, more specialized markets and hard discounters for chilled products.

Market share in value of fresh produce distribution channels France, ****, in Source: ****

In ****, supermarkets and hypermarkets (***) will dominate the fresh produce distribution market in France, accounting for **% of the total value. Markets come next with a **% market share, while fishmongers, although specialized outlets, occupy a smaller share with *%. This breakdown highlights the predominance of supermarkets in the distribution of fresh produce, underlining their ability to capture a broad customer base, while markets and fishmongers serve more targeted and specific segments.

Value market share of distribution channels for chilled delicatessen products France, ****, in Source: ****

In ****, supermarkets and hypermarkets (***) will account for the majority of market share in value terms for chilled delicatessen products in France, with a **% market share. The hard discount ...

4.1 Offer typology

The seafood market in France is divided into several typologies, each responding to specific consumer needs. There are four main categories: fresh products, chilled delicatessen products, canned products and frozen products.

Fresh products take pride of place, often favored by consumers in search of quality and flavor. They include fish, shellfish and crustaceans sold as is, without processing, which preserves their natural taste and nutritional qualities. This segment is popular for special occasions or immediate consumption, although their shelf life is more limited.

Refrigerated delicatessen products represent another major category, responding to the growing need for convenience. This segment includes ready-to-eat products, such as prepared fish dishes (***) or ready-cooked fillets. This type of offer is particularly appealing to consumers in a hurry, who want to incorporate fish into their diet without having to cook. Refrigerated delicatessen products are characterized by their relative freshness and ease of use, responding to demand for fast, convenient meals.

Canned products are another mainstay of the offer, combining practicality, sustainability and affordability. Canned products, such as tuna, sardines or mackerel, are popular because they offer a long shelf-life, even outside the fridge, and are often more affordable. They allow for flexibility in consumption, as they can ...

4.2 Fresh category prizes

In terms of major seafood categories, the average is as follows:

If we take specific products from France Agri Mer data, we obtain the following table for species bought fresh:

[***]

4.3Frozen category awards

We can see that the main products purchased in the frozen category are quite different from those in the fresh category:

[***]

4.4 Refrigerated catering category awards

For refrigerated caterers, we have:

[***]

4.5 Canned food category awards

In the canned goods category, we have:

[***]

4.6 Seaweed: this market's green gold

Food algae are emerging as a resource of the future in the agri-food sector, offering considerable opportunities thanks to their many ecological, nutritional and economic advantages. Often referred to as the"new green gold", they are gradually gaining in popularity in the West, while they have long held a central place in the diet of Asia, which dominates the world market with **% of production volumes. This trend is becoming increasingly strong in Europe, where industry players are trying to catch up by developing a diversified range of seaweed-based products[***]

Seaweed cultivation is one of the most environmentally-friendly in the world, requiring no fertilizers, fresh water or pesticides. In addition to its low resource requirements, seaweed farming actively contributes to the environment by capturing carbon, combating ocean acidification and preserving marine biodiversity. These characteristics make it a product in tune with current environmental concerns, responding to the challenges of sustainability and ecosystem protection. Seaweed is also rich in fiber, protein and micronutrients, giving it beneficial health properties. In particular, they provide omega-*s, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, essential elements that position them as a healthy, sustainable alternative in the diet. [***]

In France, Brittany stands out with the largest natural field of edible ...

5.1 Current regulations

Common Fisheries Policy (***): The CFP is the European Union's regulatory framework for the sustainable management of fisheries resources. It establishes catch quotas by species and area, minimum catch sizes, and closed seasons to protect fish stocks. The last major reform of the CFP came into force in ****, with periodic revisions to adapt measures to changes in marine stocks and ecosystems.[***]

Regulation (***): This regulation concerns the conservation of fishery resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures. It sets standards for fishing gear, minimum catch sizes, and restriction zones for certain fishing methods in order to limit bycatch and protect sensitive habitats. [***]

Code de l'Environnement - Livre IV, Titre III(***): Freshwater fishing and the management of fish resources are governed by the French Environment Code. This legislative framework defines the conditions under which fishing may be carried out, opening and closing periods, minimum catch sizes, as well as anglers' obligations in terms of declarations and quota compliance.[***]

Order of February *, ****: This prefectoral order governs the permanent regulation of freshwater fishing in the Haut-Rhin département. It specifies the specific conditions applicable locally, such as opening periods, authorized gear and special protection zones. [***]

5.2 Future regulations

Revision of the Fisheries Control Regime (***): A provisional political agreement has been reached between the European Parliament and the Council on the revision of the fisheries control regime. The new rules aim to modernize the control of fishing activities, prevent overfishing, and ensure a level playing field between different sea basins and fleets. [***]

Plan Aquacultures d'Avenir ****-**** (***): defines a collective strategy for the sustainable development of French aquaculture. It sets objectives for ****, notably in terms of innovation, competitiveness and respect for the environment. The plan also includes measures to enhance the attractiveness of the aquaculture profession and improve knowledge of aquaculture resources. [***]

Stratégie Nationale pour une Pêche Durable (***) : this strategy aims to strengthen the sustainability of the French fishing industry by improving knowledge of fishery resources, modernizing the industry and making the profession of seafarer more attractive. It comprises ten key actions and four recommendations, with national and European measures, and is part of the Common Fisheries Policy. [***]

6.1 Player segmentation

Source: ****

• Alphaprim
• Pomona Groupe (Passion Froid)
• Les pêcheries de la Côtinière
• Delpierre (Labeyrie Groupe)
• Alliance O
• SCAPP (Poissonnier Corail)
• Delmas poissons et marée
• Marine SA
• Vivafysh (Vivalya)
• Sysco Groupe - Davigel
• Leroy Sea Food
• Pure Salmon
• Grand Frais (Prosol)
• Terrazur (Pomona groupe)
• Sathoan
• Cinq Degrés Ouest 5DO
• King Lobsters
• PSMA LA SABLAISE
• Escal Sea Food
• Française de Gastronomie
• Grieg Sea Food group
• France Haliotis
• Sapmer
• Audelor
• Conserverie la Belle-Iloise
• Saupiquet (Bolton alimentari Group)
• La Compagnie Bretonne du Poisson
• MerAlliance groupe
• Le Graët Groupe
• Luximer
• Océan Delice
• Compagnie des Pêches Saint Malo
• Bolton Group: Rio Mare, Palmera, Simmenthal
• France Pélagique
• Nautilus Food
• R&O SeaFood Gatronomy- Reynaud
• Cermaq (Mitsubishi Corp)
• Mowi Group
• Marine Harvest Kristen (Mowi group)
• Aquafrais (Fish group)
• SN Trading
• Morisseau Maison
• Olala cosmetics - EQAM
• Saumon de France
• Groix et Nature
• Food4Good
• Compagnie des pêches de Saint-Malo
• Cultimer
• Chancerelle Conserverie
• Océalliance
• Seafoodia
• Mericq Groupe
• Alliance Océane et Charcutière - Coraya
• Cité Marine (Nissui Groupe)