Casablanca – Morocco continues to reinforce its position as a key supplier of seafood to the European Union, leveraging its strategic coastal location between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. With an extensive fishing industry, Morocco ranks among the world’s leading seafood producers, exporting large quantities of fish and seafood products to international markets. Recent data highlights the country’s growing presence in European seafood trade, as its exports to the EU exceeded $121 million in January 2025, making it the fourth-largest supplier to the market.

Morocco among the leading seafood suppliers to the EU

According to the latest statistics from the European Statistics Institute, the EU imported over $663 million worth of Norwegian seafood in January, maintaining Norway’s position as the largest supplier. China followed with $146 million, while Iceland ranked third with $125 million. Morocco secured the fourth position, surpassing several other competitors, including the United Kingdom, which exported over $108 million worth of seafood to Europe.

In addition to these key suppliers, Russia’s seafood exports to the EU witnessed significant growth, reaching $55 million, which represents an increase of 1.5 times compared to the same month in 2024. The monthly rise in Russian seafood imports exceeded 8%, indicating Europe’s growing demand for fish from various global sources.

Breakdown of Moroccan seafood exports

Moroccan seafood exports to Europe include a variety of products, ranging from fresh fish to processed seafood. In January alone, the EU imported over $32 million worth of fish fillets, while frozen fish exports amounted to $16 million. Additionally, dried, salted, and smoked fish accounted for $5 million in exports, demonstrating the diversity of Morocco’s seafood offerings.

A previous parliamentary report from the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for External Policies confirmed Morocco’s strong standing in the seafood sector. In 2022, Moroccan seafood exports to the EU exceeded $1.73 billion, making it one of the continent’s top suppliers. Sardines, a staple of Morocco’s seafood industry, played a crucial role in these figures, with the country providing approximately 93% of Europe’s total sardine imports, valued at $197 million.

A thriving industry with global reach

Morocco’s success in seafood exports is largely attributed to its favorable geographic location, giving the country access to rich marine resources in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean waters. This has allowed it to develop a strong fisheries sector that supports economic growth and job creation. The country has also invested in modernizing its fishing industry, implementing sustainability initiatives and adopting international standards to meet the stringent regulations of the European market.

The continued high demand for Moroccan seafood in Europe is a testament to the quality and competitiveness of its products. With sustainable fishing policies and expanded processing capabilities, Morocco is well-positioned to maintain and potentially expand its share in the European seafood market.

Future outlook for Moroccan seafood exports

Industry experts predict that Morocco’s seafood exports will continue to grow, particularly as Europe diversifies its supply sources to ensure stability in its food markets. The demand for high-quality, sustainably sourced seafood is expected to remain strong, benefiting Moroccan exporters. Additionally, with global seafood consumption on the rise, Morocco has opportunities to further expand into new markets beyond Europe, including Asia and North America.

With a thriving fishing industry, abundant marine resources, and a strong export network, Morocco remains a key player in the global seafood market. As the country continues to modernize its infrastructure and improve its seafood processing capabilities, its position as a major supplier to Europe is likely to strengthen further in the coming years.