Frozen Fish and Seafood Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, and Trends By Product Type [Fish, Crustaceans, Shellfish, Others], By Distribution [Offline (Supermarkets, Hypermarkets, Others), Online], By End-User [Retail, Hotels and Restaurants, Others}, And By Geography - Forecasts From 2022 To 2027

The Frozen Fish and Seafood market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.12% from US$87.846 billion in 2025 to US$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 their nutrition 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 meat 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 modern industry is initiated to remain in its 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 which do not undermine their health-giving factors, frozen seafood is also gradually becoming one of the common necessities in homes. Rising trend of meal prepping from individuals with tight schedules helps further increase the demand for easy usage 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.

 What are the drivers of the Frozen Fish and Seafood market?

• Rising fish and seafood production across the globe is projected to propel the Frozen Fish and Seafood market expansion.

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 answering 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.

• Surging demand for frozen fish is anticipated to fuel the frozen fish and seafood market expansion.

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 that 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.

What are the key geographical trends shaping the Frozen Fish and Seafood market?

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 boosted to the overall market growth. In 2022, the per capita 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.

Recent developments in the Frozen Fish and Seafood market:

• October 2024- Walmart has collaborated with shrimp farmer Omarsa in Ecuador, aquafeed company Skretting, and TNC to promote more environmentally friendly production for shrimp. The group combines the efforts of several leading organizations to enhance the environmental sustainability of the shrimp production supply chain by practicing actions that reduce environmental impacts along with improving the welfare of those who farm shrimp. Through its North Star Program initiative, Walmart focuses on sourcing responsibly produced seafood. Through combining the capabilities and expertise of TNC and partnering to form more transparent, more sustainable, better shrimp for consumers and environmental value.
• June 2024- JR East, Maruha Nichiro, and UTokyo Planetary partnered to establish healthy diet Initiatives including remodeling of fish as a food source. This collaboration is dedicated to creating nutritious and environmentally friendly food options that benefit both people and the planet. This will help rebrand fish products using the expertise of artificial intelligence and fisheries science of UTokyo to improve appeal. The partnership was officially announced on May 31, 2024, and the initiatives will be implemented at TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY, scheduled to open in March 2025.

The Frozen fish and seafood market is analyzed into the following segments:

• By Product Type
  • Fish
  • Crustaceans
  • Shellfish
  • Others
• By Distribution Channel
  • Offline
    • Supermarkets
    • Hypermarkets
    • Others
  • Online
• By End-User
  • Retail
  • Hotels and restaurants
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada              
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • France
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Others

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Market Overview

1.2. Market Definition

1.3. Scope of the Study

1.4. Market Segmentation

1.5. Currency

1.6. Assumptions

1.7. Base and Forecast Years Timeline

1.8. Key benefits for the stakeholders

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2.1. Research Design

2.2. Research Process

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3.1. Key Findings

3.2. Analyst View

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1. Market Drivers

4.2. Market Restraints

4.3. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis

4.3.1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers

4.3.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers

4.3.3. Threat of New Entrants

4.3.4. Threat of Substitutes

4.3.5. Competitive Rivalry in the Industry

4.4. Industry Value Chain Analysis

5. FROZEN FISH AND SEAFOOD MARKET BY PRODUCT TYPE 

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Fish

5.3. Crustaceans

5.4. Shellfish

5.5. Others

6. FROZEN FISH AND SEAFOOD MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL 

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Offline

6.2.1. Supermarkets

6.2.2. Hypermarkets

6.2.3. Others

6.3. Online

7. FROZEN FISH AND SEAFOOD MARKET BY END USER 

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Retail

7.3. Hotels and restaurants

7.4. Others

8. FROZEN FISH AND SEAFOOD MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

8.1. Introduction

8.2. North America

8.2.1. By Product Type 

8.2.2. By Distribution Channel 

8.2.3. By End User

8.2.4. By Country

8.2.4.1. United States

8.2.4.2. Canada

8.2.4.3. Mexico

8.3. South America

8.3.1. By Product Type 

8.3.2. By Distribution Channel 

8.3.3. By End User

8.3.4. By Country

8.3.4.1. Brazil

8.3.4.2. Argentina

8.3.4.3. Others

8.4. Europe

8.4.1. By Product Type 

8.4.2. By Distribution Channel 

8.4.3. By End User

8.4.4. By Country

8.4.4.1. United Kingdom

8.4.4.2. Germany

8.4.4.3. France

8.4.4.4. Spain

8.4.4.5. Others

8.5. Middle East and Africa

8.5.1. By Product Type 

8.5.2. By Distribution Channel 

8.5.3. By End User

8.5.4. By Country

8.5.4.1. Saudi Arabia

8.5.4.2. UAE

8.5.4.3. Israel

8.5.4.4. Others

8.6. Asia Pacific

8.6.1. By Product Type 

8.6.2. By Distribution Channel 

8.6.3. By End User

8.6.4. By Country

8.6.4.1. Japan

8.6.4.2. China

8.6.4.3. India

8.6.4.4. South Korea

8.6.4.5. Indonesia

8.6.4.6. Thailand

8.6.4.7. Others

9. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

9.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

9.2. Market Share Analysis

9.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

9.4. Competitive Dashboard

10. COMPANY PROFILES

10.1. Maruha Nichiro

10.2. Thai Union Group

10.3. Mowi (Marine Harvest)

10.4. Trident Seafood

10.5. High Liner Foods

10.6. Leroy Seafood Group

10.7. Labeyrie Fine Foods

10.8. Stolt Sea Farm

10.9. Surapon Foods

10.10. Tassal Group

10.11. Marine Frozen Foods Co., Ltd.

10.12. Dongwon Industries Ltd.

10.13. Abad Fisheries

10.14. Torry Harris

Maruha Nichiro

Thai Union Group

Mowi (Marine Harvest)

Trident Seafood

High Liner Foods

Leroy Seafood Group

Labeyrie Fine Foods

Stolt Sea Farm

Surapon Foods

Tassal Group

Marine Frozen Foods Co., Ltd.

Dongwon Industries Ltd.

Abad Fisheries

Torry Harris