French Sardine Crisis: Morocco’s Overfishing and Climate Change Spark Shortage

In supermarkets, canned sardines are in short supply to the great dismay of consumers. They are having trouble getting hold of the affordable product: it costs an average of 1 euro. "More than one sardine out of two sold in France is imported, usually from Morocco," says the radio RTL, stressing that the kingdom has managed in about twenty years to surpass the historic canneries of Brittany. This rise of Morocco in the sardine business is explained by its low price and its labor force that is ten times cheaper than in France.

Why are sardines scarce? At the origin of the scarcity of sardines, overfishing. Moroccans are intensifying the fishing of sardines in order to meet the strong demand and consumers used to low prices. Another factor: global warming, which disrupts the production of plankton (the primary food of the sardine). As a result, sardines are growing larger and reproducing less.

However, there is hope: a renegotiation of contracts between Moroccan canneries and major retail brands in France will certainly help to alleviate this shortage within a few months. However, there is a risk of an increase in the price of sardines, which could fluctuate between 20 and 30% in order to rebalance the market.

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