Challenges in Sardine Availability Across Major Retailers
German supermarkets and discount chains, including Aldi, Rewe, and Lidl, are currently facing significant shortages of sardines, a situation that has been exacerbated by dwindling stocks off the coast of Morocco. According to a recent survey conducted by the German Press Agency among various retail companies, the availability of sardines has notably diminished, causing concern among consumers and retailers alike. Aldi Nord indicated that certain sardine products may become temporarily unavailable due to challenging conditions in fishing. Similarly, Rewe highlighted a "tension-filled raw material situation" across Europe affecting both private labels and branded products. Lidl also mentioned that rising demand has led to sporadic availability issues. Other retailers, such as Kaufland and the grocery delivery service Picnic, have admitted to facing similar supply constraints.
Declining Sardine Stocks and Implications for Prices
The primary sardine fishery serving the European market, located off the Moroccan and Western Sahara coasts, has suffered from declining stocks for several years. Stefan Meyer, Managing Director of the Fish Information Centre in Hamburg, reported that in 2022, the Moroccan fishing administration recorded landings of 965,000 tons, which is projected to plummet to just 525,000 tons by 2024. The situation has not improved in the past year, with climate change, altered marine conditions, and high fishing pressure being cited as contributing factors. In response to these challenges, the Moroccan government has implemented stricter management practices. Since February 2026, exports of frozen sardines have been severely restricted or suspended to ensure adequate supply for the domestic market. This is particularly significant for European processors, as Morocco has historically been their largest supplier. Unfortunately, a short-term recovery of sardine stocks in Northwest Africa does not appear to be on the horizon.
In the Northeast Atlantic, particularly near Spain and Portugal, genuine sardines are also present, and their stocks have shown improvement in recent years. However, the catch levels remain insufficient to fill the gap in raw materials caused by the declining stocks elsewhere. Consequently, a quick resolution to the sardine market's issues seems unlikely. Meyer anticipates that prices may rise due to the lack of available alternatives, leading manufacturers to increasingly turn to sardine-like fish species such as sardinettes.
As reported by lebensmittelpraxis.de.
