Basque households consumed 62,406 tons of seafood in 2017, with a total value of EUR 550 million. (Photo: Azti)

The Basques consume less fresh fish, but more canned seafood

SPAIN
Thursday, November 15, 2018, 22:10 (GMT + 9)

A new report issued by AZTI analyzes the global situation by categories of fishery products, as well as the consumption distribution and per capita expenses in recent years.

This research was carried out in the framework of the projects "Euskoarrain: support in fishery and aquaculture product trade of the Basque Country" and "Merkatun: New formats and presentations of high added value for tuna trade", financed by the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Vice-Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Policy of the Basque Government through the Maritime Fisheries Fund of the European Union.

Photo: AZTI

The Trend Report data confirm the importance of fishery products in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (CAPV), since they consumed on average 30 kilograms per capita (6.25 kg more than the state average), which meant an annual per capita expenses of EUR 266 (EUR 69.3 above the state average) in 2017.

Photo: AZTI

Among the different categories analyzed, fresh fish was the category on which most Basque households spent, with 49 per cent of the total annual expenses, followed by seafood/ mollusks and canned fish and mollusks, which represented 24 per cent and 21 per cent of expenses, respectively. Lastly, frozen fish accounted for 6 per cent of the expenses.

Canned fish and mollusks stand out against other products as they show a growing trend, accumulating in the period 2011-2017 an increase of 17 per cent in consumption and 37 per cent in expenses.

Photo: AZTI

The report notes a downward trend in consumption and value of most species of fresh fish, especially those from capture fisheries.

On the contrary, total expenses grew by 4 per cent during the same period due to the increase in prices, the increase in the CPI in the Basque Country and the increase in the demand for canned and processed products (higher price / kg than the fresh product), it cushioned the fall in consumption.

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media

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