2022 saw fish prices trend upward but profits decline in another challenging year for the UK fishing fleet
We have released financial estimates which offer an insight into the difficulties faced by the nation’s fishing industry last year.
The dataset is based on information gathered during the 2022 fishing fleet survey. Every year our fleet survey researchers head to ports across the UK to talk to fishing vessel owners and ask questions about their performance. The data collected shows the annual economic performance of the fleet in 2021 and preliminary estimates for the year 2022, based on samples of their costs and earnings.
When comparing data with the two previous years, the 2022 preliminary estimates paint a picture of the performance of the fleet in a post-pandemic landscape, with many of those surveyed reporting that financial struggles remain a major concern.
Fishing fleet performance in 2021 and 2022
The survey work also showed that, in terms of the size of the fleet, the number of active fishing vessels continued to decrease in 2021 and 2022 leaving the UK fishing fleet with just under 4,080 active vessels in 2022. Of that number, around 1,300 were deemed as low activity, reporting an annual income of less than £10,000.
The effects of Covid-19 and associated lockdown measures continued to be felt into the first part of 2021, combined with the new trade requirements after EU exit.
However, there were indications of economic recovery by the second half of 2021 as prices and demand recovered. Total operating profit of the fleet in 2021 was £256 million, a 5% increase from 2020 although still below the £267 million of 2019. In 2022 the start of the Ukraine war and subsequent rise in fuel prices dramatically altered the landscape. Total spend on marine fuel in 2022 was an estimated £195 million, a 75% increase from 2021. As fuel prices increased, total operating costs also went up reaching the highest figure in the last four years. Rising costs on gear, packaging and insurance put further pressure on fishing businesses, negatively impacting vessel owners all over the UK, the survey results showed.
As fuel costs went up, so did market prices. Fish saw a significant price increase in 2022, as the average price per tonne landed increased for many species. Nephrops prices, for instance, were 39% higher on average while scallop prices went up 18% compared to the previous year, although scallop average prices were still lower than pre-Covid-19. This translated into higher revenues for the fishing sector with turnover of the fleet at around £1b, a figure similar to 2019 (pre-Covid-19 and EU exit). However, with the cost of living and fuel prices rapidly escalating, profits dropped, with the fleet making 13% less profit than in 2021 and 17% less than in 2019.
Commenting on the fleet estimates, Marta Moran-Quintana, Economics Analyst, said:
Our preliminary economic estimates show that 2022 was another difficult year, with fuel costs impacting profits as we predicted back in April 2022. The rise in fuel prices had a significant effect, partially counteracted by a global shortage of whitefish due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Sanctions on Russian seafood increased average prices of whitefish fish while increased demand drove up prices of shellfish, which helped many businesses stay afloat.
It is still too early to assess how other costs, such as labour and wages, have changed. We are working to get better understanding of changes in costs structures and fleet adaptability to economic pressures experienced last year.
The data has been published on our online Fleet Enquiry Tool. This allows for the data to be broken down into segments, by home nation and port of landing. A complete Economics of the Fishing Fleet report will be published this Autumn.
Fishing Fleet survey 2023
The 2023 fleet survey is underway and our researchers are talking to skippers and vessel owners about the performance of their business. With over two hundred surveys completed so far and the survey set to close at the end of September, there is still time for fishing vessel owners to take part and ensure 2023 data is reflective of what is happening in the industry.
Fleet survey researcher Rebecca Spain is on her second year at Seafish. On her impressions of 2023 after talking to vessel owners, she said:
Last year, one of the biggest challenges was the soaring fuel costs, which took a significant toll on fishermen's businesses. Vessel owners tell me that while this year saw a drop in fuel prices, the ongoing cost of living crisis and inflation continues economic pressure on business expenses. Some fishers have also seen their harbour dues and insurance rise by 10% in 2023.
The fleet survey provides a platform for vessel owners to voice their concerns. The data can support individual business planning, industry requests for investment in harbour infrastructure, business benchmarking and similar activities.
It also helps policy makers to understand how both global and local affairs affect the fishing industry, gathering the necessary evidence to show current challenges.
To contact Seafish fleet survey team you can email fleet.survey@seafish.co.uk and arrange a phone interview survey.