AQUATIC FOOD CONSUMPTION IN SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE: TRADE AND SUSTAINABILITY DIMENSIONS

Abstract

Consumption of aquatic food has increased worldwide in recent decades. Although most countries in Southeastern Europe have a much lower per capita demand for fish and fishery products compared with global and European levels, they are following the general trends. Domestic production is insufficient to meet existing demand, and the region is integrated into the global seafood market. The paper outlines the links between human consumption of aquatic organisms in the region and the global seafood trade. The supply of internationally sourced products has environmental impacts beyond the countries studied, raising questions about the sustainability of the sector and its environmental footprint. The study also examines the gap between domestic supply and demand for seafood and its impact on the region’s trade and environmental position.