Finnian O’Luasa, Paris Office, Bord bia – Irish Food Board

According to the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EUMOFA) organic products currently account for almost 4% of total aquaculture in Europe and reached an estimated 52 000 tonnes in 2015. Ireland is by far the leading producer of organic aquaculture species with an EU production share of 42% followed by Italy (16%) and France (8%). European aquaculture has seen very positive growth since 2012, especially for salmon, trout, seabass, seabream, mussels and oysters. Organic aquaculture follows strict production standards which insure minimum environmental impact through lower stocking densities, recyclable or reusable materials, organic certified fish feed from responsible source with natural ingredients, environmental friendly management systems which minimises impact due to waste and respects the nature and biodiversity of the site. Both cost and selling prices of organic aquaculture products are estimated to be around 30% more expensive due to the lower level or productivity from lower stocking densities and higher input costs such as organically certified feed, reusable materials etc. Demand for organic food in general has remained strong in Europe for many years as described in other recent food alerts and has grown by an insolent 20% in France in 2016, confirming yet again, for many years running, a fundamental consumer trend.