Decreased turnover in the Belgian sea fishing industry
In 2018, 14,766 tonnes of fish were landed by Belgian ships and sold in Belgian harbours, according to the new figures of Statbel, the Belgian statistical office. Landings have decreased by 11.3 % compared to 2017. In 2018, the landings accounted for a turnover of 63 million euros. This turnover has dropped by 6.9 %, but the decrease was relatively limited, due to the slightly higher average price of 4.2 euros/kg (+5 %).
Sharpest decrease in Zeebrugge
Especially the port of Zeebrugge recorded losses. The share of Zeebrugge, according to the quantity landed and fish sold, has decreased to 57 % in 2018, compared to 64 % in 2017.
Sole, plaice and shrimps in the lead
Sole remains the flagship of the Belgian sea fishing industry. Despite a decrease in landings (-6.7 %), this fish has a turnover share of 35 %. Plaice comes in second place, with a share of 18 %. These two fishes represent together more than half of the turnover achieved in the Belgian sea fishing industry.
2018 proved to be a record year in shrimp catches. The landings have increased by 143 %. The price for shrimps has decreased last year by 49 %.
Importance of the different species for the Belgian harbours according to the value of fish landed and sold 2018
Fish landed by Belgian ships and sold in Belgium
| Fish landed by Belgian ships and sold in Belgium | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Evolution 2018/2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantity of fish sold (in tonnes) | 17.469 | 18.786 | 15.548 | 15.998 | 19.284 | 18.158 | 16.635 | 16.648 | 14.766 | -11,3% |
| Value of fish sold (in million euros) | 62,5 | 77,9 | 64,8 | 56,5 | 68,1 | 67,4 | 65,0 | 67,2 | 62,6 | -6,8% |
| * Source: Statbel (Directorate-General Statistics - Statistics Belgium) based on the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Flemish public authority, AVKD. | ||||||||||
| Traded quantity (in tonnes) | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Evolution 2018/2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codfish | 1.697 | 1.589 | 588 | 638 | 1.104 | 1.068 | 440 | 478 | 429 | -10,3% |
| Whiting | 424 | 298 | 237 | 265 | 262 | 252 | 279 | 178 | 195 | +9,6% |
| Plaice | 4.929 | 4.123 | 3.835 | 4.487 | 6.783 | 5.842 | 5.345 | 5.417 | 4.548 | -16,0% |
| Sole | 3.488 | 3.854 | 3.419 | 2.500 | 3.214 | 2.734 | 2.197 | 1.955 | 1.825 | -6,6% |
| Turbot | 284 | 297 | 272 | 299 | 344 | 360 | 401 | 436 | 316 | -27,5% |
| Lemon sole | 640 | 1.040 | 532 | 737 | 1.014 | 706 | 501 | 524 | 489 | -6,7% |
| Ray | 1.114 | 1.810 | 1.253 | 1.283 | 1.008 | 1.205 | 1.005 | 1.023 | 1.022 | -0,1% |
| Shrimps | 325 | 436 | 611 | 483 | 528 | 325 | 444 | 342 | 830 | +142,7% |
| * Source: Statbel (Directorate-General Statistics - Statistics Belgium) based on the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Flemish public authority, AVKD. | ||||||||||
| Average price in EUR/kg | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Evolution 2018/2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codfish | 2,6 | 2,6 | 3,3 | 2,8 | 2,5 | 2,7 | 3,2 | 3,0 | 2,7 | -10,0% |
| Whiting | 1,0 | 1,1 | 0,9 | 1,1 | 1,2 | 1,2 | 1,1 | 1,2 | 1,1 | -8,3% |
| Plaice | 1,7 | 1,9 | 1,2 | 1,2 | 1,3 | 1,5 | 1,6 | 1,9 | 2,4 | +26,3% |
| Sole | 8,3 | 10,1 | 10,5 | 9,4 | 9,5 | 10,4 | 11,4 | 11,5 | 12,1 | +5,2% |
| Turbot | 9,6 | 11,6 | 11,0 | 10,1 | 11,0 | 10,3 | 9,5 | 9,8 | 11,2 | +14,3% |
| Lemon sole | 4,2 | 4,0 | 4,4 | 3,5 | 4,3 | 5,7 | 5,2 | 5,2 | 4,9 | -5,8% |
| Ray | 1,9 | 1,7 | 2,2 | 2,2 | 2,2 | 2,1 | 2,4 | 2,4 | 2,2 | -8,3% |
| Shrimps | 4,4 | 3,0 | 2,5 | 4,9 | 3,8 | 5,0 | 7,1 | 7,4 | 3,8 | -48,6% |
| * Source: Statbel (Directorate-General Statistics - Statistics Belgium) based on the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Flemish public authority, AVKD. | ||||||||||
Purpose and brief description
Quantity and value of the fish landed and traded in Belgium. Distribution according to the ports of supply and the fish species
Population
All sea fishing boats
Frequency
Monthly
Timing publication
Results available 3 months after the reference period.
Definitions
Total amount kg : Quantity of fish supplied and traded
Total value EUR : Value of fish supplied and traded
