European seabass at Mercamadrid shows a strained market with falling volumes and uneven prices by size

Lubina europea (Dicentrarchus labrax). Manos de mujer

The evolution of European seabass at Mercamadrid during 2025 reflects a strained market, marked by falling volumes and uneven price behaviour depending on size. While small and medium-sized seabass have become noticeably more expensive, the larger category breaks the trend and has become cheaper, in a context defined by Turkey’s sharp decline as a supplier and the stronger presence of Greece.

Small seabass, of up to 400 grams, rose from a frequent price of €5.3 per kilo in 2024 to €5.8 in 2025, an increase of 9%. However, volumes fell by 20% to 2,090 tonnes. Turkey drastically reduced its shipments, with 42% less product, while Greece only declined by 3%, which allowed it to gain relative market share in this segment.

In the medium size range, from 400 to 600 grams, the frequent price rose from €6.7 to €7.7 per kilo, a 15% increase. Volumes dropped by 16%, down to 2,560 tonnes compared with 3,060 recorded a year earlier. Turkey once again showed the steepest fall, with 40% fewer shipments, while Greece managed to increase slightly, by 1.6% reinforcing its role in this segment.

The biggest surprise of the year come from large seabass, weighing over 600 grams. Unlike gilthead seabream, its frequent price fell by 10%, from €13.6 per kilo in 2024 to €12.2 in 2025. This decline occurred despite volumes also dropping by 9% to 1,410 tonnes. In this case, Turkey slumped again, with 35% less product, while Greece increased its shipments by 10%, consolidating itself as the most solid supplier in this premium segment.

Overall, the seabass market shows a more complex picture than that of seabream. The reduction is supply from Turkey has driven up prices in the small and medium sizes, but the resilience and even growth of Greece in the larger sizes has led to a correction that has made the flagship product for restaurants and expensive in standard formats, but offers a price correction in larger specimens.

Market Outlook

Turkey will remain in the coming months the determining factor for upward prices for the rest of 2025, due to a combination of limited supply, rising production costs in the country, and volatility in its currency.

Studies on the effects of global climate change on Turkish aquaculture suggest that some production areas may be approaching the seawaters temperature limits for seabass.