In 2023, 12,302 tonnes of fish were sold in Belgian ports, compared to 13,217 tonnes in 2022. According to the new data of Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, this is a decrease of 6.9%. These landings by Belgian ships represented a turnover of 75 million euros, i.e. a decrease of 5.6% compared to the 79.5 million euros registered in 2022. So, the decrease in landings is partly offset by the 1.4% increase in the average price per kilo which amounted to 6.1 euros in 2023 compared to 6.0 euros in 2022.

Zeebrugge accounts for 54% of landings in Belgium

The quantity of fish landed and sold in Belgium remains the largest in the port of Zeebrugge, with 54.4% of all fish. The share of the port of Ostend went to 43.9%. The port of Nieuwpoort has a limited share of 1.7%.

However, not all fish caught by Belgian ships land in Belgium. Landings and sales by Belgian vessels in foreign ports account for 21.7% of the total landings by Belgian ships. The figures are 10.7% in Dutch ports, 8.7% in Danish ports and 2.3% in Spanish ports. For the first time, no landing was registered in French ports.

If we take these landings abroad into account, the total catch amounts to 15,704 tonnes of fish for a turnover of almost 90 million euros. Zeebrugge accounts for 42.6% of landings and 45% of turnover and Ostend for 34.4% and 36.9% respectively.

Belgian ports get relatively better prices

The decrease in landings at national level helped getting a better price of €6.1 per kg on average, or a 1.4% increase compared to 2022.

On the contrary, fish landed in foreign ports got a much lower result of €4.4/kg on average, or an 11.5% decrease.

Marine fisheries: landings, landing value and average price (2010-2023) of Belgian vessels in Belgian and foreign ports

In Belgian ports, sole is the main fish species in terms of value and cuttlefish in terms of landings

Sole is the main target species in the Belgian fishing industry. Despite the decrease in sole landings (-4.4%), this fish species could achieve a good market with a 0.8% price increase, maintaining its first position in terms of landed value. This fish species accounts for 50.5% of the turnover achieved by the Belgian sea fishing industry in Belgian ports.

Plaice, which for years has been the second best student in the class, is being pushed down in quantity and value by cuttlefish. Landings of cuttlefish, of no less than 2,487 tonnes, showed a new increase of 22.3%. Also in terms of turnover, cuttlefish is the second most important fish species in Belgium, with a share of 13%.

Landings of shrimps sharply decreased in 2023. After the record of 855 tonnes in 2022, they were limited to only 195 tonnes in 2023. For years, landings have never been so low. This decrease in landings was accompanied by a significant price increase to €9.5/kg, or a 74.3% rise.