Christmas represents 30% of cod sales. However, this year, this tradition could be affected by the price, which is at risk of reaching highs in 2025. The industry faces “historical challenges” – argues the sector.
“Historically, sales during the Christmas season represent around a year of cod in the domestic market,” said the Bacalhau Industry Association (AIB), in response to Lusa.
Despite hoping that this tradition will continue, AIB does not rule out the possibility that, this year, the consumption to be affected due to some conditions, such as uncertainties regarding the price increase.
This year, the price of commercial cod, especially the traditional one, rose again, a trend that has been observed for several years due to factors such as the decision of the European Union (EU) to impose economic sanctions on Russia due to the war in Ukraine .
According to the association, Brussels applied tariffs to imports of Russian cod for processing by European industry.
However, as he pointed out, Norway imports this raw material without customs duties, “reprocessing it and re-exporting it to the European market without any barrier”.
AIB also warned that Russia is processing and shipping cod directly to the EU, a process that is not subject to customs duties, creating a “incongruity that benefits third parties”.
The increase in prices also contributes to market volatility global and the increases in transport and energy costs.
Industrialists also regret that Brussels does not carry out in-depth studies and ignores the particularities of the sector and its respective economic and consumer impacts.
As a result, prices for the final consumer also rose.
Cod price
According to AIB estimates, the average value of cod has already exceeded, in many cases, the 20 euros per kilo (kg) and, without changes in European policy, “it could reach luxury levels, such as 40 euros per kg, as early as 2025”.
Given this scenario, many Portuguese have opted for lower quality cod, bought in less quantity or just opted for more specific parts.
“The EU urgently needs to correct the mistakes maderepealing inconsistent taxation and ensuring fair competition”, pointed out AIB.
“The inaction of the Portuguese Governmentresigned and passive, feeds the feeling of lack of protection on the part of the Union, favoring the growth of eurosceptic and extremist movements”, he added.
AIB also recalled that, despite cod being subject to taxes, Russian natural gas continues to supply countries such as Austria, Hungary and Slovakia.
Cod is a shared marine resource, whose management must respect factors such as commercial interests and protection of the species.
Therefore, the Portuguese executive and Brussels must work to protect this resource, “ensuring that it remains accessible to all Portuguese and continues to be a pillar of our national identity”, he said.
Break compared to 2023
According to data from AIB, Portugal remains one of the main exporters of cod, especially to Portuguese-speaking countries and emigrant communities, despite the fact that, until September, there was a drop of 11%, compared to the same period in 2023, for R $75 million.
Established in 1993, AIB is today a business and employers’ association, which promotes and develops cod industrial activity and defends the sector’s business interests.
Its members represent more than 80% of industrial cod production in Portugal, which corresponds to annual revenue of approximately 400 million euros.
