Every year it's the same: On March 8th, the fish are all gone.
- Julia Wogart
- Dec 1
- 3 min read
Why Germany depends on imports
In purely mathematical terms, the fish caught or farmed in Germany would have been used up by March 8th of 2025. From that point on, Germany would rely on imports – a symbolic figure that illustrates the extent of the country's dependence on international supply chains. According to the environmental organization Seas at Risk, domestic fishing thus covers only about 10 percent of national demand.
Despite growing awareness of sustainability and regionality, the appetite for fish remains high. Germans consume 12.5 kilograms of fish and seafood per capita per year (Thünen Institute 2024). Salmon, tuna, herring, Alaska pollock, and shrimp top the popularity charts – products that largely originate from overseas.
Fish as part of the food culture
Fish is considered healthy, versatile, and more climate-friendly than meat. This is reflected in eating habits: even though consumption fluctuates slightly, fish remains a staple of German cuisine. Particularly in urban areas, the demand for convenient products – filleted, pre-portioned, and frozen – is growing.
The nutrition reports of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) show that almost two-thirds of Germans pay attention to origin and sustainability when shopping, but at the same time accept that many species must come from other regions in order to be available all year round.
Global markets ensure supply
Global fish consumption continues to rise. According to the latest OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034, global per capita consumption is projected to reach 21.8 kilograms by 2034. This will make fish an even more important source of protein worldwide – particularly in emerging economies.
For Germany, this means that competition for raw materials is increasing. While domestic fishing quotas remain limited, demand and price volatility are growing on global markets. Without imports from Norway, Iceland, Vietnam, or Canada, the fish stocks in German refrigerated sections would be depleted within weeks.
Why the North Sea alone is not enough
German fisheries can no longer meet the rising demand – and this isn't a recent problem. Firstly, many fish stocks are regulated to prevent overfishing; secondly, climate change is shifting entire ecosystems. Rising water temperatures are altering the migratory patterns of species like cod and mackerel.
Infrastructure also limits supply: Germany's inland and coastal aquaculture plays only a minor role in terms of volume. Even optimistic forecasts, according to the Thünen Institute , assume that the share of German production will remain below 15 percent in the long term.
Sustainable imports as part of the solution
Imports are not at odds with sustainability – quite the opposite. Modern supply chains enable transparency and certification along the entire value chain. Whether MSC, ASC, or IFS certified : sustainable fishing and responsible aquaculture have long been international standards.
For the German market, this means that what matters is not where the fish comes from, but how it was caught, processed, and transported. Those who focus on verified origin, certified partners, and unbroken cold chains ensure both quality and responsibility.
Conclusion
Germany enjoys eating fish – and will continue to have to import it. This is not a contradiction, but a necessity in a globally interconnected food industry. End of Fish Day on March 8th serves as a reminder that regional borders end where the oceans begin.
As a long-established Hamburg-based seafood importer, KANZOW has been familiar with this dynamic for over a century. International trade ensures that the diversity, quality, and availability of fish in Germany will remain a given – 365 days a year.
Comments