The Italian Seafood Market

Total size of the seafood market

When comparing seafood consumption across countries, Italy ranks around the middle globally. According to the FAO, per capita consumption is measured by total domestic production plus imports, minus exports, divided by population. Based on this method, Italy 9th in Europe, with a consumption of 29,6 kg per capita in 2022, a 0,34 % increase from the previous year.

Grey indicates low volume consumed (below 30 kg/capita), blue between 30 – 50kg/capita and dark blue above 50kg/capita, indicating high consumption volume. 

Figure 1: Seafood consumption per capita in 2022. Source: Fao | FAOSTAT 2022

Seafood vs. other proteins

Packaged fresh and frozen fish, and packaged fresh meat, do both have a positive trend in sales between 2020 and 2024. The sales of meat are significantly higher in this period, also for the growth. That said, the growth in sales between these two categories was strongest for fish last year, with (+2,3%) against (+0,8%). 

Packaged fresh and frozen fish, and packaged fresh meat, do both have a positive trend in sales between 2020 and 2024. The sales of meat are significantly higher in this period, also for the growth. That said, the growth in sales between these two categories was strongest for fish last year, with (+2,3%) against (+0,8%). 

The sales of packaged fresh and frozen fish are growing year over year, and is the second most important product category of protein sources. Poultry and rabbit are the most important protein segment, but bovine is the most growing segment for meat. 

Based on retail scanner data, fish consumption in Italy has shown year over year growth. Packaged fish is a third of the market, and are gaining share from variable weight year to year. Total value sales of fish in Italy were €2,5bn in 2024 (+0,9 %).

Comparing the consumption development of fish with meat in 2024, both see growth in the same pace (+0,9 %), however meat had a slightly stronger growth from 2022 to 2024 with 6,6 % against 5,6 % for fish. 

Salmon, stockfish and baccalà sales

Figure 3,4 and 5: Salmon, stockfish and baccalà sales between 2022 and 2024. Source: Nielsen IQ

The overall salmon sales, included fresh and frozen, increased with 8,3 % between 2022 and 2024, though the journey included fluctuations. From 2022 to 2023, the average price for salmon rose from €24,33 to €25,70, responded with a drop in sales with 5 % the same period.

Even so, in 2024 salmon recovered after a negative performance. The price dropped between 2023 and 2024 to €24,38, nevertheless, the total value still rose to €100 million in 2024.