Shrimp trade breaks records in first half of 2024

The half-year figures from the Dutch fish auctions show a slight increase compared to the same period in 2023. This growth is entirely attributed to the shrimp trade. IJmuiden appears to be on track to become the largest fish auction in the Netherlands.

Strong growth in shrimp revenue

The total revenue from Dutch fish auctions, excluding Zoutkamp, reached €104.3 million in the first half of 2024. This is an increase compared to the €99.5 million recorded in the same period last year. The most notable growth was seen in the shrimp trade, where revenue rose from €10.7 million in the first half of 2023 to a record €23.5 million in 2024. This growth is driven by both higher supply, which increased from 1,772 to 2,307 tons, and a significant price increase from €6.03 to €10.20 per kilo.

IJmuiden overtakes Urk

In contrast, fish auctions excluding shrimp showed a decline. The supply dropped from 17 to 15.2 million kilos, and revenue decreased from €89 million to €81 million. Despite this decline, IJmuiden remains in the lead, with a revenue of €33 million in the first half of the year. This is an increase of €1.2 million compared to last year, positioning IJmuiden to surpass Urk as the largest fish auction in the Netherlands. Urk, which had been the leader for many years, saw its revenue fall from €30.4 million to €26.8 million.

Regional variations

Other fish auctions showed varying results. While Vlissingen and Stellendam reported significant revenue declines of 39% and 24% respectively, Harlingen, Den Oever, and Lauwersoog benefited from strong shrimp sales. For example, Harlingen’s revenue doubled from €4.4 million to €10.3 million. These regional differences highlight the varied dynamics within the Dutch fish auction industry.

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