Fish and Seafood Markets in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

The fish and seafood industry, which includes the production, processing, distribution and consumption of fish and seafood products, is an important part of the European blue economy. Europe is one of the largest consumers of fish and seafood in the world and, because of its diverse seafood preferences, it imports a considerable amount of seafood from other parts of the world. At the same time, there are significant differences between EU member states in terms of fish consumption and production levels. This study focuses on a group of six Central and Eastern European countries with the lowest levels of seafood consumption. The article reveals unique combinations of factors that determine demand for fisheries and aquaculture products, despite the presumed levelling effects of the single market and global supply chains. In this fragmented market, the main players are small and medium-sized enterprises that specialise in trading and processing broad groups of products and are able to integrate into complex supply chains. The overview of the seafood markets of Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia serves as a step towards a better understanding of the interplay between global and local market forces