The French fish-canning industry 1939-1945: an activity suffering because of the war?

On the eve of the Second World War, the French fish-canning industry employed 15000 to 20000 workers and provided a living for 40000 fishermen. Tuna, mackerel and sardines in oil were sold all over the world. From the outbreak of the conflict, tinned fish was considered a strategic goods, with priority given to the Army and the Navy. The supply services organized the market in order to increase production and make the manufacturing easier. The arrival of German troops in 1940 disrupted factory work for a while, but very soon manufacturers went back to work. Contrary to a generally accepted idea, there was no shortage of fish, and factory employees worked relentlessly, with some difficulty of course, to keep up with German orders. This article discloses a reality that is not well known.