Current Supply Issues in Supermarkets and Discount Stores
Consumers looking to purchase sardines in supermarkets and discount stores are currently facing significant shortages. A recent survey conducted by the German Press Agency among various retailers indicates that the availability of these popular fish has diminished considerably. For instance, Aldi Nord has reported that certain products may be temporarily unavailable due to challenging conditions in fishing. They stated, "The availability of sardines is currently limited due to difficult circumstances in the fishing industry." Similarly, the supermarket chain Rewe highlighted a "tension-filled raw material situation across Europe," which affects both private label and brand-name products.
Lidl acknowledged the issue as well, noting that the rising demand for sardines has led to sporadic availability restrictions. The company is actively working with suppliers to restore product availability as quickly as possible. Kaufland has also admitted to experiencing occasional shortages, and the grocery delivery service Picnic has reported being affected by these supply challenges. The topic was previously reported on by "Die Welt."
Understanding the Reasons Behind the Shortage
What is causing this scarcity? According to Stefan Meyer, Managing Director of the Fish Information Centre in Hamburg, the main sardine fishery crucial to the European market, located off the coasts of Morocco and Western Sahara, has been suffering from declining stocks for years. In 2022, the Moroccan fisheries administration reported a catch of 965,000 tons, which is projected to drop to just 525,000 tons by 2024. Meyer notes that the situation did not improve last year, attributing the decline to the effects of climate change, altered ocean conditions, and high fishing pressure. In response, the Moroccan government has implemented stricter management measures. Since February 2026, the export of frozen sardines has been heavily restricted or suspended to ensure the supply for the domestic market.
This situation is particularly relevant for European processors, as Morocco has been the largest supplier of sardines. According to Meyer, a short-term recovery of sardine stocks off Northwest Africa does not appear to be on the horizon. Additionally, the "true sardine" (Sardina pilchardus) is also found in the Northeast Atlantic, particularly off the coasts of Spain and Portugal. While stocks in these regions have shown significant recovery in recent years, the catch volumes remain insufficient to fill the raw material gap. Consequently, a quick alleviation of the sardine market's issues is not expected.
Meyer suggests that we may witness an increase in prices due to the lack of alternatives. As manufacturers seek substitutes, they are increasingly turning to sardine-like fish species, which are predominantly found in the Indian Ocean, western Pacific, and tropical Atlantic waters.
As reported by bietigheimerzeitung.de.
