INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

Today (March 25), Marshal Piotr Całbecki is participating in a conference in Brussels marking the launch of the European Union’s promotional and educational campaign. The initiative aims to raise public awareness of the importance of aquaculture in food production and to encourage changes in Europeans’ eating habits, as their diets statistically remain too low in fish, shellfish, and algae.

Aquaculture is the equivalent of agriculture in an aquatic environment – it involves the controlled farming of fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic plants. The European aquaculture sector is primarily concentrated in France, Greece, Spain, and Italy. These countries are the largest producers, accounting for 67% of the total European output of fresh, frozen, and canned seafood destined for European tables. Across the continent, aquaculture farms and processing companies number around 14,000 businesses, employing 60,000 people.

Poland has no reason to feel overshadowed, as its aquaculture tradition dates back to the 12th century (!). Today, industrial farming of carp and trout is carried out by 500 farms. Poland’s annual production of 40,000 tons—mainly for the domestic market but also exported to western neighbors – is valued at €124 million.

Also attending today’s conference in Brussels are Poland’s Vice-Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Jacek Czerniak, Cyprus’ Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panayiotou, the Chair of the Standing Group on Sustainable Food Systems, Piroska Kallay and the Director for Maritime Policy and Blue Economy (DG Mare) at the European Commission Delilah Al Khudhairy.

Press Office of the Marshal’s Office

March 25, 2025