Most Fish Processed in the Netherlands Now Comes from Imports
The Dutch fish processing industry is experiencing a significant shift as local catches make up an increasingly smaller portion of processed fish.
The fish processing sector in the Netherlands is undergoing a major transformation. In 2023, only 14 percent of all fish processed in the country originated from the North Sea and local fisheries. The share of domestically caught fish has been steadily decreasing in recent years, marking a notable change in the industry.
Industry representatives point out that this decline has been ongoing for quite some time, even though comprehensive data is lacking. Many wholesalers and processing companies are now turning to imported seafood, such as Norwegian salmon and shrimp species from Asia. This shift is driven by both supply issues with local fisheries and changes in global trade networks.
Experts predict that the proportion of imported fish in Dutch processing plants will continue to grow in the coming years. This ongoing transformation in the Dutch fishing sector could have various implications for the country’s economy and local employment, as the industry relies more heavily on international supply chains.
