In 2020, landings of fish by Belgian vessels decreased by 7.8 % compared to 2019. In total, 12,588 tonnes of fish were sold in Belgian ports. Landings accounted for a turnover of 56.4 million euros. The decrease in turnover remained limited to 4.6 %. This is due to the slightly higher average price per kg: 4.5 €/kg, an increase of 4.7 % compared to 2019. The year 2020 was very different in the fishing industry. Both exports and sales to local markets and the horeca sector were disturbed by the Covid-19 crisis.

Ostend recovers

Landings in the port of Ostend recovered in 2020. It accounts for 44.6 % of the total quantity of fish landed and sold. The share of the port of Zeebrugge decreased from 58.2 % to 52.9 %. The port of Nieuwpoort has a share of 2.6 %, like in 2019.

Half of the fish landed is sole

Sole remains the flagship of the Belgian sea fishing industry. In 2020, landings of sole increased by 17.5 %. This fish accounts for half of the turnover achieved in the Belgian sea fishing industry.

Plaice ranks second, although landings fell by 40.4 % in 2020, i.e. a turnover decrease of 8.5 %.

We also noticed an increase in landings of ray, with 11.2 % more landings. Shrimps register a sharp decrease of 38.7 %. The price for shrimps recovered to 5.2 €/kg on average.