The Frozen Fish and Seafood market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.12% from USD 87.846 billion in 2025 to USD 118.215 billion in 2030.
Fish or seafood products, including shellfish, crabs, and shrimps, among others, are processed and frozen to extend their shelf life. Freezing such food assists in keeping its nutritional content and taste intact during transportation. Increasing consumption of fish and seafood products across major nations, followed by rapid urbanization, is estimated to propel the global frozen fish and seafood market forward. As per the “Europe Dish Market 2023,” the global per capita fish consumption reached 184.533 million tons, which represented a 2.1% growth in the consumption scale of 2021.
Frozen fish and seafood products are preserved and stored in vacuum-tight compartments and at freezing temperatures to minimize the growth of unwanted microbes and ensure fresh, quality products are delivered to the end user. With the transition towards hygienic and safe food preferences, customers are inclined towards safe, quality, and certified frozen food. As per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), fish and seafood are preferred over chicken and red meat (mutton/beef/pork/lamb) for relatively high levels of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins D and B-12.
Moreover, frozen fish and seafood are better than the fresh form as the freezing process of fish and seafood meat in the modern industry is initiated to retain their natural form, so that the freshness is intact and does not provide time for bacterial growth. Also, the wastage can be minimized to a great extent with timely checks throughout the supply chain, with easy handling, making it less prone to seasonal changes.
As consumer tastes lean more toward convenience foodstuffs that do not undermine their health-giving factors, frozen seafood is also gradually becoming one of the common necessities in homes. The rising trend of meal prepping among individuals with tight schedules helps further increase the demand for easy-to-use frozen seafood products within their meals. In addition, technological advancements in packaging have improved the visibility and convenience of the product, making it more accessible to consumers to prefer frozen seafood over other protein sources. These factors point toward a bright future for the frozen fish and seafood market in terms of adapting to changing lifestyles and dietary preferences.
With the increase in the global consumption of fish and seafood products, the production of aquaculture has increased significantly worldwide. Furthermore, multiple governments across the globe have introduced multiple policies and subsidies to further boost the regional fish production and processing landscape.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying of the Indian Government, in its press releases, stated that at the end of 2023, the nation recorded a total fish production of about 17.545 million tons (175.45 lakh tons), making the nation the third largest fish producer globally. InvestIndia, in its datasheet, stated that in 2022-23, the total production of inland fisheries was recorded at about 13.13 million metric tons.
Furthermore, the US Department of Agriculture, in its report, stated that fish and seafood production in China grew significantly over the past few years. The organization stated that in 2021, about 66.90 MMT of seafood was produced in the nation, which grew to about 68.66 MMT in 2022. The total seafood production of China in 2023 was recorded at about 71.0 MMT
This increase in production is not only filling the rising demand of consumers but also addressing food security issues around the world. As populations increase and diets change to be more protein-based, responsible aquaculture practices are becoming ever more crucial. Improvements in farming methods and feed conversion efficiency have increased yields while decreasing negative environmental impacts. Additionally, Innovations in cold chain logistics aid in the better distribution of frozen seafood items so that quality and freshness are maintained. In addition, online grocery shopping has taken off, thereby increasing frozen fish and seafood sales through online stores, as customers look to purchase meals that are not only more convenient but also not less nutrient-dense or flavorful.
Overall, these factors are expected to create significant growth in the frozen fish and seafood market as producers adapt to changing customer preferences and global desires for sustainable food sources.
Frozen fish are preferred as they are as good as fresh fish and also have a longer shelf life, i.e., about four to six months, compared to fresh fish, which remain good for only two or three days post-catching. The global frozen fish and seafood market is anticipated to encounter substantial expansion primarily influenced by economic variables like rising disposable income and rapid increase of urban population, which leads to a rise in ready-to-eat fish meals. Moreover, the growing demand for healthier alternatives to fast food that can be cooked quickly has further bolstered the demand for seafood items, which are prevalent among working customers and youngsters. This will lead to a rise in the frozen fish segment in the coming years.
For instance, in March 2024, Birds Eye launched new Mini Fish Fingers to cater to the developing demand for frozen food across different events. The launch focuses on unlocking incremental sales for retailers by growing their core fish item range. Frozen fish blends are also popular choices that provide a pre-portioned combination of fish and other healthier ingredients, streamlining feast preparation and offering consumers a wide extend of flavors and cuisines.
Following this, the OEC data report on frozen fish fillets shows that the United States was the top importer of frozen fish fillets, accounting for US$4.86 billion, followed by Japan, valued at US$2.21 billion, and Germany, with US$1.57 billion in 2022, which also contributed to the market growth.
Moreover, greater knowledge of responsible fishing techniques leads consumers to prefer frozen seafood products that have been prepared properly. An environmentally aware consumer is likely to favor the purchase of products in which their values for sustainability and sourcing are embodied. This, in turn, motivates producers to embrace better practices and acquire certificates indicating their environmental stewardship.
In addition, improvements in freezing technology increase the quality of frozen seafood products by enhancing texture and flavor retention while ensuring safety. This means that consumers may be able to enjoy high-quality seafood that satisfies their health and taste preferences without sacrificing convenience. The combination of these factors is projected to drive significant expansion in the frozen fish and seafood market over the next few years.
Based on geography, the Frozen Fish and Seafood market is segmented into North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold a substantial market share. China is one of the leading consumers of fish items, and over the years, the country has been experiencing a positive expansion in its seafood consumption and production. For instance, according to the USDA’s “2024 China Fishery Product Report”, the country’s total seafood production stood at 71 million metric tons, which represented a 3.4% growth over 2022’s production volume. Major aquaculture products such as shrimps, & crabs witnessed 6% growth, followed by shellfish with 2.7%.
The rapid urbanization and improvement in living standards have increased the per capita seafood consumption in the country, which has greatly contributed to the overall market growth. In 2022, the per capita consumption stood at 26.9 kilograms, which represented a significant growth of 27.1% over 2018’s per capita consumption. Moreover, as per the European Union’s “EU Fish Market 2023” edition, China accounted for 34.5% of the total fish consumption in the top 15 OECD countries in 2022, and in the coming year, the country is expected to maintain its position as the leader. Furthermore, the ongoing investment in fish farming, followed by growing consumer awareness regarding the health benefits of fish, is further acting as an additional driving factor for the market growth.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Report Metric | Details |
| Frozen Fish and Seafood Market Size in 2025 | USD 87.846 billion |
| Frozen Fish and Seafood Market Size in 2030 | USD 118.215 billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 6.12% |
| Study Period | 2020 to 2030 |
| Historical Data | 2020 to 2023 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 – 2030 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Billion |
| Segmentation |
|
| Geographical Segmentation | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
| List of Major Companies in Frozen Fish and Seafood Market |
|
| Customization Scope | Free report customization with purchase |
The Frozen fish and seafood market is analyzed into the following segments: