Fish production is a niche in Saxony-Anhalt. Most recently around 350 tons were produced. Traditional fishing only accounts for a small part.
Barby (dpa/sa) – Breeding accounts for the largest part of fish production in Saxony-Anhalt. Around 310 tons of fish were produced in aquacultures – i.e. ponds and systems – in 2020, said a spokesman for the Saxony-Anhalt State Fisheries Association. The most common breeding animals are carp and trout. Inland fisheries contributed significantly less with 38 tons of fish in the same period. Half of the twelve lake and river fisheries caught carp and four tons each of small vendace and catfish. A fifth made up native species such as pike, zander, perch and eel.
According to the fishing association, the catches from commercial fishing are almost exclusively sold directly, as fresh or processed goods, on farms and markets. They also supply restaurants and retailers.
According to the fish information center, consumers in Germany spent around 5.4 billion euros on fish last year – a new record. The households bought almost 500,000 tons of fish and seafood. The most consumed fish in 2021 were sea fish such as salmon, tuna and herring. Freshwater fish such as trout and carp had a market share of around 28 percent.
