Italian aquaculture producers call for greater transparency on the origin of fish served in the HORECA channel

Verona, Italy, 12 December 2025 | The two associations leading the proposal, API and AMA, represent approximately 90% of Italian farmed fish and shellfish producers

Pareja comiendo en restaurante

Italy is celebrating the recent recognition of its cuisine as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, a milestone that highlights the value of the country’s agri-food chains. Among them, aquaculture stands out as a sector increasingly central to the quality, food safety and sustainability of aquatic products supplied to the market.

In this context, API – Italian Fish Farmers Association – and AMA – Mediterranean Aquaculture Association, which together represent more than 90 per cent of Italy’s producers of farmed fish and shellfish, have presented a proposal to the Italian Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Francesco Lollobrigida, aimed at increasing transparency for consumers who eat fish outside the home.

The associations note that, although traceability of aquatic products is guaranteed throughout the supply chain, the final step of information reaching the consumer in restaurants is still missing. This is particularly significant considering that more than 50% off fish consumption in Italy takes place outside the home.

API and AMA propose introducing a clear and uniform obligation for all operators within the HORECA channel. Their proposal states that “operators of hotels, restaurants, trattorias, pizzerias, bars and similar establishments, as well as catering services, must provide consumers with clear and transparent information about the origin and method of production of the aquatic products being served.”

According to both associations, information on origin is not merely a commercial requirement but also a cultural value, aligned with the growing demand for transparency among consumers.

The initiative comes at a time when the beef sector has also submitted a similar request to MASAF calling for the inclusion of a regulation on the traceability of meat served in restaurants within Coltivaitalia. For API and AMA, regulatory consistency across sectors and equal protection for all agri-food chains are essential.

The proposal aims to protect consumers, provide clear information at the moment of choice, strengthen confidence in national production and enhance the value of Italian aquaculture products, recognised as among the most competitive in Europe for their quality and sustainability standards.

Both associations have reaffirmed to the Ministry their full willingness to collaborate in the development of the new regulation, stressing that transparency is a key element in supporting a sector that contributes to both the country’s food security and its cultural identity.