The fish and seafood market - France

The seafood market in France covers fishing, farming and distribution of aquatic products. It is divided into several typologies, each responding to specific consumer needs. There are four main categories: fresh products, chilled delicatessen products, canned products and frozen products. Fresh products are particularly prized for their quality and taste, while chilled catering products, including prepared fish dishes, meet a growing demand for convenience. Canned products, meanwhile, combine durability and affordability, while frozen products offer a compromise between freshness and convenience. The global seafood market is expected to grow at a rapid rate of 3.4% per year until 2031, driven by increasing demand from emerging countries. However, the situation in France is less optimistic. as of April 23, 2024, the French consume only imported fish, underlining a trade deficit. Secondly, in this market, French preferences are highly variable: in 2024, the figures show a clear preference for fish cuts, with consumption of almost 85,000 tonnes per year, reaching 70% of households. Shrimps are also very popular, purchased by 66% of households throughout the year. Despite this, the sustainability of fishing practices remains a concern, as of the 347,000 tonnes of fish landed in France in 2022, only 56% comes from sustainable fishing, while 20% comes from overfishing. The main players on the French market are wholesalers such asPassionFroidorGrand Fraisproducers such asDelpierreorDelmas Poissonset Maréeand importers such asDavigelandMarine SAS. Food algae are emerging as a resource of the future in the agri-food sector, offering considerable opportunities thanks to their many ecological, nutritional and economic advantages. Often referred to as the"new green gold", they are gaining in popularity in Europe and France, while they have long been a staple food in Asia (which will account for 97% of market share in this segment by 2024 ). Brittany, with its vast natural field of edible seaweed, is a perfect illustration of this trend, underlining the potential of seaweed as a sustainable and nutritious product for the future.