Oct 26, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: EU – Sardines (Prepared Or Preserved) – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
This analysis of the European Union’s preserved sardines market forecasts a steady expansion, with volume projected to reach 157,000 tons by 2035 at a CAGR of +0.8%, and market value to hit $1 billion at a CAGR of +2.1%. In 2024, consumption rose to 144,000 tons, with Germany, France, and Spain being the largest consumers. Production, however, has seen a slight long-term decline, with Germany, Poland, and Latvia as the top producers. The trade landscape is dynamic, with France being the largest importer by value and Portugal the largest exporter by value, while export prices have seen significant growth, increasing by 96.8% since 2015.
Key Findings
EU preserved sardines market is forecast to grow to 157K tons and $1B by 2035Germany, France, and Spain are the top three consuming countries by volumeProduction has declined since its 2013 peak, led by Germany, Poland, and LatviaFrance is the leading importer by value, while Portugal is the top exporter by valueExport prices have surged, increasing by 96.8% from 2015 to 2024Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for sardines (prepared or preserved) in the European Union, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 157K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $1B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionEuropean Union’s Consumption of Sardines (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, consumption of sardines (prepared or preserved) increased by 1.5% to 144K tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the consumption volume increased by 6.6%. The volume of consumption peaked at 148K tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
The revenue of the preserved sardines market in the European Union expanded sharply to $806M in 2024, increasing by 6.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Germany (36K tons), France (24K tons) and Spain (20K tons), together comprising 56% of total consumption. Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Hungary and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +1.7%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest preserved sardines markets in the European Union were France ($168M), Spain ($148M) and Germany ($142M), together comprising 57% of the total market. Poland, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Romania, Italy and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.
Hungary, with a CAGR of +4.1%, saw the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
The countries with the highest levels of preserved sardines per capita consumption in 2024 were the Czech Republic (525 kg per 1000 persons), Hungary (481 kg per 1000 persons) and Portugal (473 kg per 1000 persons).
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +1.8%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ProductionEuropean Union’s Production of Sardines (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, production of sardines (prepared or preserved) increased by 4.3% to 147K tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a slight setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 7.4% against the previous year. The volume of production peaked at 180K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, preserved sardines production totaled $826M in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 when the production volume increased by 16%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Germany (31K tons), Poland (18K tons) and Latvia (16K tons), with a combined 45% share of total production. Spain, Portugal, France, Croatia, the Netherlands, Estonia and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +6.3%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ImportsEuropean Union’s Imports of Sardines (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, preserved sardines imports in the European Union reduced to 59K tons, dropping by -5.4% compared with 2023 figures. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 73K tons. From 2021 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, preserved sardines imports totaled $353M in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 when imports increased by 15%. The level of import peaked in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.
Imports By Country
In 2024, France (16K tons), distantly followed by Spain (8.1K tons), Germany (6.6K tons), the Netherlands (5.6K tons), Romania (3.2K tons) and Italy (2.8K tons) represented the largest importers of sardines (prepared or preserved), together comprising 71% of total imports. The Czech Republic (2.6K tons), Poland (1.7K tons), Austria (1.6K tons) and Ireland (1.6K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Ireland (with a CAGR of +8.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, France ($108M), Spain ($57M) and Germany ($38M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, with a combined 57% share of total imports. The Netherlands, Italy, Romania, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.
In terms of the main importing countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +9.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the import price in the European Union amounted to $5,951 per ton, increasing by 10% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 when the import price increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($8,340 per ton), while Ireland ($3,137 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsEuropean Union’s Exports of Sardines (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, shipments abroad of sardines (prepared or preserved) increased by 0.8% to 62K tons for the first time since 2020, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a noticeable decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at 100K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, preserved sardines exports rose rapidly to $357M in 2024. Total exports indicated a mild increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports increased by +80.0% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.
Exports By Country
In 2024, Latvia (16K tons), Portugal (12K tons) and Poland (9.1K tons) represented the key exporter of sardines (prepared or preserved) in the European Union, comprising 60% of total export. Croatia (5.7K tons) held a 9.3% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the Netherlands (7.9%), Estonia (6.8%) and Spain (5.7%).
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +8.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest preserved sardines supplying countries in the European Union were Portugal ($96M), Latvia ($62M) and Poland ($55M), with a combined 60% share of total exports. Croatia, Spain, the Netherlands and Estonia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.
The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +8.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the export price in the European Union amounted to $5,791 per ton, increasing by 8.8% against the previous year. Export price indicated a strong increase from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, preserved sardines export price increased by +96.8% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($8,327 per ton), while Estonia ($1,318 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Latvia (+9.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.