Industry body Seafish has published its 2024 Fish as Food update. The Fish as Food review found that as with other parts of the food sector, the seafood industry is facing severe challenges but also the prospect of substantial opportunity.

The report explores how seafood consumption in the UK is changing and how key drivers are generating opportunities and threats in the industry. 

Drawing on insight, horizon scanning and industry expertise, the Fish as Food review focuses on the future of seafood consumption. 

The review is designed to help the industry navigate seafood consumption challenges, including immediate challenges such as inflation, the cost of living, and the Russia/Ukraine conflict. These challenges could lead to significant structural change for the industry. 

The Fish as Food review concludes that major changes are happening in the food chain, driven by economic and food security prospects and climate change, which are translating into major changes in consumer food expectations. This means that food production may alter fundamentally and that seafood could struggle under tough market conditions in the next five years.

However, in the face of these changes, seafood has a window of opportunity. Seafood’s position in the market will be strengthened if it is promoted as a high-quality protein that offers value for money, and promotion should stress the great taste and health benefits of seafood. Seafood formats may need to be reinvented to match the needs of consumers as lifestyles continue to evolve and it is important to ensure greater consistency in supply chains. 

The report recommends that the seafood sector needs to work together to drive positive change to benefit the sector. The UK Food Valley is proud to be home to the largest seafood processing cluster in Europe and has been delighted to see the industry coming together, led by Seafood Grimsby and Humber and supported by the University of Lincoln to promote skills and innovation in the sector.

Read the full report here.