Fresh, grilled on the barbecue, or preserved in a tin, sardines are loved by consumers across France. Every year, 16,000 tonnes of canned sardines are sold.
Convenient, simple, and above all inexpensive, they currently cost between €0.50 and €2.50 per 100g depending on the recipe and origin. But consumers may soon face an unpleasant surprise, with sharp price increases—and even shortages, such as the one reported on September 7 in an Auchan hypermarket.
More than two out of every three canned sardines sold in French supermarkets come from Morocco. The issue is that, over the past two years, overfishing, pollution, and climate change have been gradually depleting Moroccan waters.
As the first link in the marine food chain, sardines play a crucial role in maintaining ocean balance. The result is a shrinking supply facing steady demand, pushing prices upward.
For now, the situation remains under control, but canned sardines from Morocco could soon see price increases of 20 to 30%.