Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1532882
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 MARCH 2025 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 A further 20% of Maltese consume seaweed products once or twice a month, the highest rate in Europe. Among Maltese respondents, 51% re- ported consuming seaweed in sushi rolls or wraps, 38% in the form of sea- weed snacks like wakame crisps, and 37% in salads. When asked why they eat seaweed, 51% of Maltese respondents said they enjoy the taste, while 49% believe it is beneficial for health. Despite Malta being an island, on- ly 32% of respondents reported eating fish products at home once a week, while 62% consume them at least once a month. The percentage of Maltese consumers who eat fish once a week is three points higher than the EU average (29%), and the percentage of those who eat fish at least once a month is just one point higher. However, weekly fish consumption in Malta is considerably lower than in oth- er Southern Mediterranean countries such as Spain (64%), Portugal (59%), Cyprus (39%), and Greece (36%). It is also lower than in Scandinavian coun- tries like Sweden (53%) and Finland (47%). Curiously, fish consumption in Malta is even lower than in landlocked Luxembourg, where 50% consume fish weekly. However, the Maltese are more likely to eat fish than Italians, among whom only 21% eat fish at home at least once a week. Monthly fish consumption is highest in Sweden (87%) and lowest in Hungary (16%). Additionally, 24% of Maltese never eat fish, compared to 15% in the EU as a whole. Across Europe, Malta—along- side Germany—has the second-high- est percentage of people who never eat fish, after Hungary (33%). In contrast, only 4% of Spanish respondents and 5% of Swedes and Finns reported the same. As in the rest of Europe, fish con- sumption is lowest among 15- to 24-year-olds. In this age group, on- ly 39% consume fish at least once a month, significantly lower than the Eu- ropean average of 54% for the same age bracket. Fish consumption in Malta is high- er among those in managerial jobs (75%) and lowest among manual work- ers (61%), the unemployed (51%), and students (21%). While this follows the same trend as in other EU countries, the percentage of students who con- sume fish is considerably lower in Mal- ta compared to the European average, where 57% of students eat fish at least once a month. Malta also reports a high consump- tion of tinned fish products like tuna. It is one of two EU member states where at least half of respondent's report eat- ing tinned fish at least once a week. This is the case in Spain (64%), Malta (57%), and Cyprus (43%). At the other end of the scale, only 2% in Greece and close to a tenth of respondents in Bul- garia and Sweden (both 9%) eat tinned fish at least once a week. Strong preference for wild fish Most respondents from Malta (69%), Greece (65%), and Italy (60%) said they buy fishery products from a fishmon- ger, a stall in a market hall, or a spe- cialist store rather than from grocery stores, supermarkets, or hypermarkets. Respondents who buy fishery prod- ucts several times a year were also asked whether they prefer wild-caught or farmed fish. The majority of 17 member states favoured wild fish, but this preference was strongest in Malta (65%), Greece (63%), and Cyprus (52%). When asked whether the price of fish has recently increased, 79% of Maltese replied in the affirmative, as did 78% of respondents across all member states. Additionally, 54% of Maltese said they have reduced their fish consumption. However, 65% said they are willing to pay more for fish and shellfish products if they are farmed or fished sustainably. A quarter of Maltese never eat fish At least once a week At least once a month Several times a year Once a year less or never Never Malta 32 26 15 3 24 EU 29 29 19 8 15 How frequently do you eat fish and aquaculture products at home? Despite Malta being an island, only 32% of respondents reported eating fish products at home once a week, while 62% consume them at least once a month