As of September 2, 2026, the European demand for sardines is increasingly met by imports from Morocco. However, consumers may find it challenging to purchase sardines in various supermarkets and discount stores, as a recent survey conducted by the German Press Agency revealed a significant shortage in availability across multiple retail companies. Notably, the discount retailer Aldi Nord has reported that certain products may be temporarily out of stock due to 'challenging conditions in fishing.' Similarly, supermarket chain Rewe has indicated that there is a 'tightly strained raw material situation' affecting both private label and branded products.
Lidl has also acknowledged that due to the rising demand for sardines, there may be specific availability constraints. The company is currently collaborating with its suppliers to restore product availability as swiftly as possible. Kaufland has similarly recognized isolated shortages, and the grocery delivery service Picnic has also admitted to being impacted by these supply issues. This situation was previously reported by 'Die Welt.'
Decline in Fishing Volumes
What is driving this scarcity? According to Stefan Meyer, managing director of the Fish Information Centre in Hamburg, 'the most significant sardine fishery for the European market off the coasts of Morocco and Western Sahara has suffered from declining stocks for years.' In 2022, the Moroccan Fisheries Administration reported a catch of 965,000 tons, which plummeted to just 525,000 tons in 2024. The situation did not improve last year, as the expert points out. Contributing factors include the impacts of climate change, altered marine conditions, and high fishing pressure. In response, the Moroccan government has implemented stricter management practices. Additionally, since February 2026, exports of frozen sardines have been significantly restricted or suspended to ensure the supply for the domestic market.
Alternative Sources and Market Outlook
This issue is particularly pertinent for European processors, as Morocco has traditionally been the largest supplier of sardines. According to Meyer, a short-term recovery of stocks off Northwest Africa is not anticipated. However, it is noteworthy that 'true sardines' (Sardina pilchardus) are also found in the Northeast Atlantic, notably off the coasts of Spain and Portugal, where stocks have shown a significant recovery in recent years. Nonetheless, the catch volumes from these areas are insufficient to bridge the raw material gap. As a result, a rapid easing of the sardine market is not expected. Meyer suggests that a price increase is possible, as manufacturers are increasingly turning to sardine-like fish species, which are primarily found in the Indian Ocean, the western Pacific, and tropical Atlantic waters.
As reported by zeit.de.
