Seven out of ten fish consumed in the EU come from outside the EU.

Omissions

• The precise share varies with methodology: EUMOFA's official self-sufficiency rate of 38.1% (2023) implies net import dependence of about 62%, slightly below the 70% figure.
• A 2026 European Parliament study found that if EU exports of fish are excluded, domestic production covers only ~14.2% of total seafood consumption, implying imports supply over 80% of consumption.
• For the top five consumed species (cod, tuna, salmon, shrimp, Alaska pollock), EU self-sufficiency was just 9% in 2023.
• The 70% figure is a long-standing official estimate used by the European Commission and EU institutions, so the claim reflects standard policy discourse rather than a precise statistical reading.

Sources

• PrimaryEUMOFA — The EU Fish Market 2025 (European Commission Market Observatory)For the first time since 2018, the EU's self-sufficiency rate rose, reaching 38,1% (for fishery and aquaculture products, 2023 data).
• SecondaryEuropean Parliament — Assessing the impact of seafood imports on EU self-sufficiency (CASP_STU(2026)759344)EU seafood self-sufficiency has declined steadily, reaching 37.5% in 2022. In 2023, the EU had an overall self-sufficiency of just 9% for the top five consumed species (cod, tuna, salmon, shrimp, and Alaska pollock). If exports are excluded, EU domestic production covers only 14.2% of total seafood consumption, meaning imports supply over 80% of what is consumed.
• SecondaryOceana Europe — Flags of convenience and hidden ownership reportAs the world's largest importer of seafood products, importing almost 70% of the seafood it consumes...
• SecondaryMispeces.com — The EU already imports 83% of the seafood it consumes, report warns of a competitiveness gap with third countriesAccording to the study, the EU already relies on extra-EU imports for more than 70% of its fish and seafood consumption.