Financial Sector - Higher fish yields in Thuringia artificially increase edible fish supply.
In 2023, a massive 550 tons of rainbow trout were hauled in by fishermen in the region known as the Free State, according to reports. This is a increase of 60 tons or 12% compared to the previous year (2022). Rainbow trout accounted for 68% of the total fish production in the region of Thuringia.
The brown trout weighed in at 61 tons, which is a tiny bit lower compared to the previous year. Brook trout caught decreased by 6% and amounted to just 13 tons.
Carp production took the second spot with 20%. This came out to 160 tons. That's an 8 ton or an 8% increase from 2022. The production of eels remained relatively unchanged at 2 tons. Crustaceans, mollusks, roe/caviar, and algae didn't have much of an impact on the overall fish production numbers in Thuringia.
Thuringia's Agriculture Minister Susanna Karawanskij from The Left Party made a statement, calling the fish farms in the region a lifesaver during the economic downturn. She went on to say that the support they received last year was instrumental in helping these businesses recover from its effects.
The expenses incurred by the aquaculture industry in Thuringia skyrocketed due to the war between Russia and Ukraine. This added financial pressure on these businesses. Expenses that now include electricity, fuel, feed, and oxygen have all become significantly more expensive as a result of the conflict.
The Thuringian Ministry of Infrastructure and Agriculture responded by providing 200,000 euros in financial assistance to cover some of these increased costs. In a statement, Karawanskij emphasized the importance of fish farming in the rural areas of the region, calling it a "traditional and important economic sector."
The minister attributed this stability to the government's timely and efficient support for the Thuringian aquaculture businesses that were going through a difficult period due to the war's repercussions.
