Commercial fish production in Finland 2012-2022, by region

The commercial fish production in Finland declined noticeably in recent years. As of 2022, 91,797 metric tons of fish were caught by commercial fisheries. Marine fishing accounted for the majority of commercial fish production over the observed period.

Enterprises and employment

In general, the commercial fish industry in Finland is an important industry but small compared to other Nordic countries such as Norway or Sweden. As of 2022, the number of enterprises in the fishing and aquaculture sector decreased to 1,521. This decline also shows in the decreasing number of enterprises in the processing and preserving of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Despite the declining number of enterprises, employment in those sectors remained stable in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, around 955 people worked in fish and seafood processing and preserving enterprises.

Fish and seafood consumption

Fish and seafood is often lauded as a healthier, lighter option than a steak or a pork cutlet. While the general consumption of fish in Finland declined over the past ten years, other fish products, such as canned or smoked fish, increased slightly in 2022 compared to the previous year.