The forecast for Italian capture fisheries of the fresh Mediterranean sand eel indicates a steady decline in production value between 2024 and 2028, with values descending from 5.3 thousand Euros per metric ton in 2024 to 4.69 thousand Euros per metric ton in 2028. Compared to 2023, there is a successive year-on-year decline, with a notable decrease of approximately 3.96% from 2025 to 2026 and around 2.84% from 2027 to 2028. Over the five-year forecast period, an average compound annual growth rate (CAGR) indicates a continuing downward trend.

Future trends to watch for:

The impact of environmental regulations and sustainability initiatives on capture fisheries.
Changes in consumer demand for Mediterranean sand eels possibly influenced by dietary trends.
Potential advancements in fishing technologies that could mitigate production declines.
Economic factors influencing the cost and pricing dynamics within the Mediterranean fisheries sector.