The fish and seafood market - Portugal

The fish distribution market covers the consumption and sales of seafood products. The market is dominated by a few large wholesalers, who supply several thousand retailers. Fish consumption is increasing rapidly worldwide, partly due to increased production, but also due to other factors such as improved distribution channels. According to European Commission data, Portugal has the third highest per capita consumption of seafood in the world, just behind Norway and South Korea. Current seafood consumption habits are linked to geographical, cultural, historical and political factors. Portuguese seafood consumption is characterized by a great diversity of species and preparation methods, compared to other European countries. Cod (salted and dried), does not exist in Portuguese waters but, due to several historical and cultural factors, it has become the main species in the Portuguese seafood consumption, representing about 38% of the national seafood demand. [Jornal da Economia do Mar]