Frozen fish fillets market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the market volume for frozen fish fillets in Germany grew from 265.4 thousand tonnes to 277.0 thousand tonnes. This expansion was driven by rising consumer preference for convenient frozen products due to their longer shelf life, alongside a growing emphasis on sustainability and traceability within the seafood sector.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to significant global and regional supply chain disruptions, which constrained imports and caused the market volume to contract to 222.2 thousand tonnes in 2020 and further to 201.2 thousand tonnes in 2021. While consumer interest in frozen fish increased for its storage benefits and online accessibility, logistical bottlenecks limited overall market availability. During this period, the market also saw the entry of new boutique brands and technological advances in freezing and packaging, though these developments were secondary to the prevailing supply challenges.

A recovery brought the market volume to 239.5 thousand tonnes in 2022, supported by strong activity from major brands like Iglo and sustained consumer consumption frequency. However, by 2024, the market volume fell sharply to 178.4 thousand tonnes. This decline was primarily due to persistently high consumer prices, which tempered demand despite ongoing technological upgrades in freezing equipment and a continued shift toward online sales channels.

Production frozen fish fillets in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the output value of frozen fish fillets fell sharply in 2020, reaching 84.7 million US dollars. This represented a 27.5% decline compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 35.6%, with an average annual decline of 13.7%. The only increase during this period occurred in 2019, when output rose by 1.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Frozen fish fillets production in Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany produced 18,500 tonnes of frozen fish fillets, which was 23.0% lower than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 38.1%, with an average annual decline of 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports frozen fish fillets from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of frozen fish fillets declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 79,500 tonnes, marking a modest contraction of 9.0% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 16.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—France, Poland, and the Netherlands—together accounted for 55.8% of Germany's total frozen fish fillet exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's exports of frozen fish fillets declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 478 million US dollars, indicating a moderate drop of 9.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 12.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During the period from 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Poland were important buyers of frozen fish fillets from Germany, accounting for 22.4%, 11.6%, and 11.3% of exports in value terms, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 45.3% of total exports, with the remaining 54.7% distributed among many other trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports frozen fish fillets to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, Germany's imports of frozen fish fillets declined. In 2020, imports totalled 283,200 tonnes, down by 16.8% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.7%, equating to an average annual decline of 3.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 340,400 tonnes, following the largest increase of 5.5% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, China, the United States, and Russia remained the key sources for Germany's frozen fish fillet imports in volume terms, accounting for 38.3%, 19.5%, and 9.4% of imports, respectively. Together, they took 67.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, Germany's imports of frozen fish fillets declined. In 2020, imports reached 1,336 million US dollars, reflecting a robust drop of 14.0% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1,554 million US dollars, which followed an increase of 8.9% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, three largest markets—China, the United States, and Poland—remained central to Germany's frozen fish fillet imports in value terms, together accounting for 54.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020