German fish sales hit by higher prices

But while consumption went down, the value of the total seafood market sales increased by 1.3 percent from €3.2 billion ($4.2 billion) in 2011 to €3.3 billion ($4.3 billion) last year, Matthias Keller, managing director at the association and vice president of the European

Federation of National Organisations of Importers and Exporters of Fish (CEP), told IntraFish. "We are happy with the average household spending on seafood," he said. "Consumers still appreciate their fish." Nevertheless, annual per capita consumption dropped to 14.9 kilograms from previously 15.2 kilograms, he said.

Volumes of fresh fish consumed dived 8.6 percent year-on-year from 56,756 metric tons in 2011 to 51,888 metric tons last year. The main reason was a 4.7 percent average price increase from €12.61 ($16.50) per kg in 2011 to €13.21 ($17.30) per kg last year.

Frozen fish products remained at about the same levels, Keller said, but marinades and other pickled fish also saw a decline from 70,851 metric tons to 66,400 metric tons last year.

This was mainly due to rocketing prices of herring,he said. The average price for a kilogram of marinated product shot up by 12 percent to €5.29 ($6.90), compared to €4.71 ($6.20) in 2011.

The only exemption in the category was the smoked fish segment, which saw an increase in both volume and value.

Consumers not only bought 5.5 percent more smoked fish -- mainly salmon and trout -- but also spent more, Keller (pictured left) said. Total value of the smoked fish segment went up from €583 million ($764.1 million) in 2011 to €604 million ($791.6 million) last year.

Keller, who will celebrate his 25th anniversary at the helm of the German Fish Processors Association on 1st of July 2013, isnevertheless optimistic, saying consumers are still "interested"in the category.

Stronger 2013

This is reflected in the figures available for thisyear. While Keller wasn't able to share any specific details, he said

Both the volume and value went up in the first five months of the year by 3 percent in volume and 7 percent in value, respectively.

The volumes of fresh fish sold went up 2.6 percent,despite an increase in value of 8 percent.

Frozen fish saw 1.7 percent higher sales, with a growth in value of 2.7 percent, and sales of marinated products went up 1.6 percent, with a whopping increase in value of 4 percent.

Also the smoked segment saw an "excellent development" in thefirst five months of the year, Keller told IntraFish

The sold volume went up 13 percent, and value increased 15 percent. "The smoked segment is showing the biggest increase," he said, adding demand is expected to stay strong.

Need for raw material price stability

How demand will evolve for the rest of the year is dependent on development in consumer prices, Kellersaid.

He predicted a relatively stable whitefish market, but the question how demand for salmon is going to pan out throughout the year is still open.

"Demand for fish is growing, which is why we would need more stability in price development," he told IntraFish

Fish farmers in particular should be able to createa predictable and stable pricing environment, he said.

"If we can increase consumer prices with caution and with careful price management, consumers will accept higher prices for fish in the future."