Urker fish auction: solid turnover thanks to pike-perch

The Urker IJsselmeer fish auction had another strong year in 2024, partly due to the supply of pike-perch. Although the turnover of €6.84 million was just below the 2023 record, the difference was minimal: only €27,000. While supply increased significantly, price drops weighed on the overall revenue.

Pike-perch stands out

With an increase in supply from 426 to 650 tonnes, pike-perch had a remarkable year. However, the average price fell from €8.45 to €6.63 per kilo. This limited revenue growth, which reached €4.3 million—an increase of €700,000 compared to 2023. Pike-perch remains the key pillar of the auction.

Less eel, crab recovers

The eel season performed less favorably. Both supply and prices declined, resulting in a turnover decrease from €2 million to €1.5 million. The average price for eel last year was €9.71 per kilo, down from €10.51 in 2023. Chinese mitten crab, on the other hand, showed a modest recovery after hitting a low point in 2023. With an average price of €9.61 per kilo, turnover rose to €424,487.

The numbers behind the auction

In total, the Urker fish auction registered 55 supply numbers, two-thirds of which came from outside Urk. The turnover was highly concentrated: three Urker companies, operating a combined total of fifteen vessels, accounted for half of the total revenue. One vessel even managed to bring in €1 million. Despite price declines in some segments, the fishing sector on Urk remains a stable force.

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