Declining sardine stocks off Morocco, exacerbated by climate change and export restrictions, are causing shortages in German supermarkets.
Sardine supplies are tightening at some German supermarkets as declining catches in Morocco contribute to shortages of the fish across Europe. Several supermarkets and discount chains reported temporary unavailability of some sardine products due to limited supplies. German retailer Aldi Nord cited difficult fishing conditions, while Rewe described a “tight raw material supply across Europe” affecting various products.
Stefan Meyer, managing director of the Fish Information Center in Hamburg, stated that sardine fisheries off Morocco have experienced declining stocks for years, with the situation worsening due to climate change, changing marine conditions, and high fishing pressure. Morocco also implemented sardine export restrictions starting February 1 to ensure domestic supply, impacting fresh, chilled, and frozen products.
Morocco is a leading non-EU supplier of fishery products to the EU, with imports valued at approximately €182 million in 2022. While stocks off Spain and Portugal have recovered, they are insufficient to offset the reduced Moroccan supply. Meyer warned that the shortage is unlikely to ease quickly and could lead to price increases, prompting producers to explore alternative species like sardinella.
Why it mattersEuropean supermarkets and consumers are affected by reduced availability and potentially higher prices of sardines due to declining Moroccan catches and export restrictions.
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