Smoked salmon market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The smoked salmon market in Germany experienced a multi-year contraction in volume from 40 thousand tons in 2018 to 25 thousand tons in 2021, with its value declining from 649 million dollars to 363 million dollars over the same period. This downward trend coincided with a broader industry shift, including the launch of new premium bio products such as JCS Fish's entry with a dedicated bio-smoking facility in 2019, which began reshaping the supply side towards higher-value segments.

From 2022, the market's value recovered, reaching 475 million dollars by 2024 despite a further volume reduction to 23 thousand tons. This growth in value was supported by the accelerated expansion of online food retail channels, which improved product accessibility, and sustained consumer preference for sustainable and bio-certified smoked salmon. Concurrent industry restructuring, notably the relocation of Friedrichs' processing operations from Germany to Poland in 2023, altered domestic production dynamics while the market leader Mowi maintained its influential position.

Production smoked salmon in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's smoked salmon production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 136.0 million US dollars, marking a 25.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 46.8%, with an average annual decline of 19.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 256.8 million US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 29.3% decrease, while the smallest change was a 0.5% increase in 2018.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Germany's smoked salmon production has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 7,392 tonnes, which represents a 27.7% decline from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production dropped by 52.1%, translating to an average annual decrease of 21.7%. The peak was in 2018 with 15,705 tonnes. The most significant reduction was in 2019 at 34.9%, whereas the largest gain was a modest 1.8% increase in 2018.

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

Exports smoked salmon from Germany

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Germany exported 14,050 tonnes of smoked salmon, a 3.4% decrease from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 3.3%, with an average annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 13,739 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 14,539 tonnes. The biggest drop occurred in 2018 with a 5.4% decrease, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 5.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's smoked salmon exports were fairly evenly distributed among destinations. Austria accounted for 17.7% of exports, Italy for 11.2%, and Switzerland for 10.7%, together making up 39.6% 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 salmon exports have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 237.9 million US dollars, showing a gradual 3.8% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 10.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 3.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's export markets in value terms were highly diversified. Austria represented 20.0% of exports, Switzerland 13.0%, and Italy 10.4%, together accounting for 43.4% of total value. The remaining 56.6% came from a wide range of smaller markets.

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 salmon to Germany

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Germany's smoked salmon imports saw a slight increase. In 2020, imports reached 34,295 tonnes, reflecting a small 1.7% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 17%, with an average annual decline of 6.0%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 34,295 tonnes, and the largest drop occurred that same year with a 9.8% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Lithuania, and Norway were the top suppliers of smoked salmon to Germany. Poland accounted for 57.4% of imports, Lithuania for 20.7%, and Norway for 9.4%, together representing 87.6% 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

Germany's smoked salmon imports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 237.9 million US dollars, showing a slight 1.9% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 24.1%, with an average annual decrease of 8.8%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Poland and Lithuania clearly dominated Germany's import market in value terms, while other countries made up the remaining share.

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

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