Morocco Keeps Its Sardines, German Shelves Are Emptying
Sardines are becoming difficult to find in several major German retail chains. Aldi Nord, Rewe, Lidl and Kaufland acknowledge occasional shortages. The reasons are the decline in catches in Morocco and the suspension of frozen sardine exports.
Aldi Nord confirms that certain products may temporarily be unavailable due to difficult fishing conditions. Rewe cites a shortage of raw materials across Europe, affecting both brands and products sold under its own name.
Lidl attributes its difficulties to growing demand and acknowledges occasional unavailability. Kaufland and the delivery service Picnic are also affected, reports RTL, based on an investigation by the DPA news agency.
On Bladi.net : France Sardine Shortage: Morocco Export Ban Sparks Supply Crisis
The main supply area for the European market lies off the coast of Morocco and the Sahara. However, Moroccan landings fell from 965,000 tonnes in 2022 to 525,000 tonnes in 2024, a decrease of approximately 46%.
The situation reportedly did not improve in 2025, according to Stefan Meyer, director of the Hamburg Fish Information Centre. The specialist points to climate change, changing marine conditions and pressure from fishing. This drop in Moroccan catches is already forcing foreign industrial companies to seek other sources of supply.
Spain and Portugal fail to make up the shortfall
Since February 1, 2026, Morocco has suspended frozen sardine exports in order to safeguard supplies for the domestic market and contain prices, a decision announced in January by Zakia Driouich, Secretary of State in charge of Maritime Fisheries.
The restriction does not apply to canned products already processed in Morocco. However, it deprives European canneries of some of the raw materials they previously purchased from the kingdom.
On Bladi.net : Moroccan Sardines Spain Export Suspension Negotiations
Sardine stocks have recovered off the coasts of Spain and Portugal, but the volumes caught in the Northeast Atlantic are insufficient to replace Moroccan arrivals. A rapid easing of the market therefore appears unlikely.
Manufacturers could raise their prices or replace some of the sardines with sardinellas sourced notably from the Indian Ocean, the western Pacific and tropical Atlantic waters. In Germany, the first consequences are already visible on the shelves.