Over the past decade, fresh finfish production in capture fisheries for human consumption in Belgium has faced a consistent decline. The volume decreased from 14.26 thousand metric tons in 2013 to 9.42 thousand metric tons in 2023. Notable year-on-year declines include an 11.7% drop in 2016 and a 10.1% decrease in 2020. The average yearly change over the last five years shows a contraction, with a CAGR of -5.42%. Forecasted trends for 2024 to 2028 suggest further decline, with an average annual decrease of -3.67% and a total reduction of 17.07% by 2028.
Future trends to watch for include the impact of sustainability practices, advancements in aquaculture, and potential shifts in consumer preferences towards alternative protein sources such as plant-based or lab-grown seafood, which could further influence the downward trend in traditional finfish capture production.
