Top Anchovies, Etc. Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Anchovies, grouped under "Anchovies, etc. not elsewhere included" in global fisheries statistics, are small, schooling, pelagic fish found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide. Highly valued for their use in food products such as sauces, pastes, and as bait, anchovies are a cornerstone of several national fishing industries. The top anchovy-producing countries are Peru and Chile, whose fleets primarily target the Peruvian anchovy (Engraulis ringens) along the nutrient-rich Humboldt Current, making them the world’s largest single-species fishery by volume. Other significant contributors include China, which harvests various anchovy species along its extensive coastline, and countries around the Mediterranean such as Turkey, Italy, and Spain, where the European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) is a staple. The anchovy fishery is vital for local economies and global fishmeal production, though it is sensitive to environmental changes like El Niño, which can dramatically affect annual catches.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.