Smoked fish market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the German smoked fish market contracted steadily in both volume and value terms. Market volume declined from 67 858 t to 51 789 t, while market value fell from $964.5 million to $732.1 million. This trend was accompanied by reductions in domestic production and import volumes over the same period.

The market dynamics shifted in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, per capita fish consumption dropped by 8.8%, yet household expenditure increased by 3.7% as inflation and high consumer valuation supported prices. Mandatory origin labeling for fresh, frozen, and smoked fish further shaped purchasing behavior. By 2024, smoked fish sales volume rose by 2.3% to 42 554 t, even as total market volume continued to decrease to 47 004 t. Consumer preference for convenient, preparation-ready products helped stabilize market value, which reached $797.8 million in 2024 despite lower overall volume.

Production smoked fish in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's smoked fish production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 276.8 million US dollars, marking a significant drop of 11.2% from the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 355.7 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 3.1%. The steepest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 12.4%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 19.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 7.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Germany's smoked fish production fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 19 624 tonnes, down 14.2% from the prior year. Production reached its highest point in 2018 at 25 329 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 3.5%. From 2017 to 2020, overall production dropped by 19.8%, averaging a 7.1% annual decline.

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

Exports smoked fish from Germany

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Germany exported 16 477 tonnes of smoked fish, a slight decrease of 1.0% compared to 2019. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 15 519 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 6.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 16 642 tonnes, which saw the biggest increase at 7.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's smoked fish exports were spread across many partner countries. Austria accounted for 19.2% of exports, Switzerland for 10.5%, and Italy for 10.3%. Together, these three countries made up just 40.1% of total export volumes.

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 smoked fish exports declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value stood at 272.2 million US dollars, a small drop of 1.3% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%.

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

The partner structure for Germany's smoked fish exports in value terms was fragmented from 2017 to 2020. Austria represented 21.6% of export value, Switzerland 13.2%, and the Netherlands 9.5%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 44.3% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports smoked fish to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Foreign smoked fish supplies to Germany increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 60 503 tonnes, a moderate rise of 3.1% over the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 58 048 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 1.5%. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 2.7%, averaging a 0.9% annual increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Lithuania, and Denmark were the main sources for Germany's smoked fish imports by volume. Poland accounted for 58.5% of imports, Lithuania for 13.9%, and Denmark for 6.7%. Together, these three countries absorbed 79.1% of total import volumes.

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 decline, smoked fish imports to Germany increased. In 2020, imports were valued at 835.5 million US dollars, up 2.0% from the prior year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 835.5 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 5.8%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Lithuania, and Denmark stood out as the primary markets for Germany's smoked fish imports by value. Poland represented 62.7% of import value, Lithuania 14.9%, and Denmark 6.0%. Combined, these three countries made up 83.6% 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