Fish and Seafood Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Types (Fresh and Chilled Fish and Seafood, Canned Fish and Seafood, Frozen Fish and Seafood, Other Fish and Seafood, Other), By Applications (Direct Consumption, Processing Consumption) , and Regional Insights and Forecast to 2035

Fish and Seafood Market Size

The Global Fish and Seafood Market size was USD 161.92 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 167.58 billion in 2026, USD 173.45 billion in 2027, and USD 228.4 billion by 2035, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period. The market growth is driven by increasing demand for high-protein diets, rising urban consumption, and expanding aquaculture output, which currently contributes to approximately 52% of total fish supply globally. Nearly 48% of consumers prioritize sustainable seafood options, while 41% adopt processed and value-added seafood products.

The US Fish and Seafood Market is witnessing steady growth, with nearly 61% of households consuming seafood weekly and 44% of purchases concentrated on frozen and canned products. Urban foodservice channels account for approximately 53% of seafood demand, while ready-to-cook and portion-controlled seafood products influence close to 38% of retail consumption. Sustainability-driven products are adopted by nearly 47% of buyers, highlighting strong preference for eco-friendly seafood solutions.

Key Findings

• Market Size: Global Fish and Seafood Market valued at $161.92 billion in 2025, $167.58 billion in 2026, $228.4 billion in 2035, 3.5% CAGR.
• Growth Drivers: Increasing protein demand (62%), rising urban consumption (58%), aquaculture output contribution (52%), processed seafood adoption (41%), sustainability focus (48%).
• Trends: Fresh fish preference (58%), frozen seafood uptake (42%), value-added product expansion (39%), online seafood purchases (33%), convenience-oriented consumption (46%).
• Key Players: High Liner Foods, Iglo Group, Leroy Seafood Group, Marine Harvest, Thai Union Frozen Products & more.
• Regional Insights: Asia-Pacific 38%, North America 24%, Europe 22%, Middle East & Africa 16%, reflecting global market distribution.
• Challenges: Supply volatility (34%), cold-chain inefficiencies (27%), labor shortage (31%), environmental compliance pressure (28%), handling inefficiencies (24%).
• Industry Impact: Health and nutrition awareness (62%), urban demand (60%), value-added products adoption (38%), export growth (33%), sustainability integration (31%).
• Recent Developments: Automated aquaculture expansion (18%), packaging innovation (22%), digital traceability (64%), ready-to-cook launches (17%), sustainable feed adoption (15%).

The Global Fish and Seafood Market demonstrates unique growth characteristics due to the increasing reliance on aquaculture, expanding processed seafood offerings, and rising consumer preference for high-protein, omega-rich diets. Nearly half of the global population now incorporates seafood into their weekly diet, with frozen and ready-to-cook segments contributing significantly to market volume. Urbanization and e-commerce penetration have enhanced accessibility for 46% of consumers, while sustainable and eco-labeled seafood adoption influences purchase decisions for nearly 48% of buyers. This combination of supply-side expansion and demand-driven consumption patterns is creating a highly competitive and dynamic market landscape for fish and seafood products worldwide.

Fish and Seafood Market Trends

The fish and seafood market is experiencing strong structural shifts driven by consumption behavior, supply chain modernization, and protein diversification across global food systems. More than 65% of global consumers now include fish and seafood in their weekly diet, reflecting rising preference for aquatic protein over red meat. Around 58% of households actively seek fresh or chilled fish products, while frozen fish and seafood account for nearly 42% of total consumption due to longer shelf life and improved cold-chain penetration. Farmed fish contributes approximately 52% of total fish supply, highlighting the growing importance of aquaculture in stabilizing fish and seafood market availability. Pelagic fish species represent nearly 35% of total volume demand, followed by crustaceans at about 27% and mollusks close to 18%. Urban consumption accounts for more than 60% of fish and seafood market demand, driven by restaurant dining, ready-to-cook meals, and foodservice channels. Sustainable fishing practices influence purchasing decisions for nearly 48% of buyers, while eco-labeled seafood products show adoption rates exceeding 30%. Processed seafood products, including fillets, canned fish, and breaded seafood, contribute almost 46% of total market volume, indicating strong demand for convenience-based offerings within the fish and seafood market ecosystem.

Fish and Seafood Market Dynamics

OPPORTUNITY

Rising Adoption of Processed and Ready-to-Cook Seafood

The fish and seafood market presents strong opportunity potential through increasing demand for processed and ready-to-cook seafood products. Nearly 47% of consumers prefer cleaned, cut, or marinated fish products due to time-saving benefits. Frozen and packaged seafood accounts for approximately 44% of total household seafood purchases, supported by improved cold storage availability. Around 39% of urban consumers actively choose portion-controlled seafood packs for convenience and reduced food waste. Retail penetration of value-added seafood products exceeds 36%, while online seafood purchases contribute close to 32% of total processed seafood demand. These trends indicate expanding opportunities for product innovation and premiumization across the fish and seafood market.

DRIVERS

Growing Preference for High-Protein and Nutritious Food Sources

Health and nutrition awareness is a major driver of the fish and seafood market. Approximately 63% of consumers consider fish and seafood a primary source of lean protein. Omega-rich seafood varieties influence purchase decisions for nearly 55% of buyers. Around 49% of consumers reduce red meat consumption and replace it with fish-based meals. Demand for fatty fish species is driven by nearly 42% of health-conscious individuals, while seafood-based diets are followed by about 34% of fitness-focused consumers. Foodservice outlets account for close to 58% of seafood consumption volume, reinforcing consistent demand across commercial and institutional channels.

RESTRAINTS

"Supply Instability and Storage Limitations"

The fish and seafood market faces restraints related to supply volatility and storage challenges. Nearly 38% of seafood suppliers experience fluctuations in raw material availability due to seasonal catch variations. Cold storage gaps contribute to spoilage levels of approximately 27% during transportation and distribution. About 33% of small-scale fisheries lack access to advanced preservation infrastructure, limiting consistent market participation. Quality degradation concerns influence purchasing decisions for nearly 29% of consumers. Additionally, handling inefficiencies impact close to 24% of fresh seafood volumes, creating pressure on supply chain efficiency and restricting steady product availability across organized retail and foodservice channels.

CHALLENGE

"Rising Operational Complexity and Compliance Pressure"

The fish and seafood market encounters significant challenges from increasing operational complexity and compliance requirements. Nearly 41% of seafood processors report higher logistics and handling burdens due to strict temperature control needs. Regulatory and traceability requirements affect approximately 37% of exporters and distributors. Labor availability challenges disrupt operations for close to 32% of fishing and aquaculture businesses. Environmental and sustainability compliance influences around 28% of producers, requiring process adjustments and monitoring. Furthermore, packaging and transportation inefficiencies impact nearly 26% of market participants, making cost management and operational scalability a persistent challenge across the fish and seafood market.

Segmentation Analysis

The fish and seafood market segmentation highlights performance variations across product types and end-use applications, reflecting evolving consumption patterns and processing intensity. The global fish and seafood market size was USD 161.92 Billion in 2025, driven by strong demand for fresh protein sources, convenience-based seafood products, and expanding aquaculture output. By product type, fresh and chilled fish and seafood accounted for the largest share in 2025 due to high household consumption, while frozen and canned segments gained momentum through extended shelf life and organized retail penetration. By application, direct consumption dominated overall demand, supported by household and foodservice usage, while processing consumption showed steady expansion through packaged and value-added seafood products. Each segment contributes distinctly to market expansion, with differentiated growth trajectories and consumption intensity shaping overall fish and seafood market dynamics through 2035.

By Type

Fresh and Chilled Fish and Seafood

Fresh and chilled fish and seafood remain a critical segment within the fish and seafood market, supported by daily consumption habits and preference for minimally processed food. Nearly 58% of consumers prefer fresh fish due to taste and nutritional perception. Urban wet markets and supermarkets contribute around 62% of fresh seafood sales volume. Cold-chain improvements have reduced spoilage rates by approximately 19%, improving accessibility. Household consumption accounts for nearly 64% of this segment’s demand, while foodservice channels contribute close to 36%.

Fresh and chilled fish and seafood accounted for approximately USD 72.86 Billion in 2025, representing about 45% of the total fish and seafood market. This segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% through the forecast period, supported by rising protein intake and expanding urban consumption.

Canned Fish and Seafood

Canned fish and seafood hold a stable position in the fish and seafood market due to long shelf life and affordability. Around 41% of consumers purchase canned seafood for emergency stocking and meal convenience. Tuna and sardines represent nearly 67% of canned seafood volume. Retail distribution contributes close to 71% of canned product sales, while institutional buyers account for approximately 29%. Demand remains strong in regions with limited cold storage infrastructure.

Canned fish and seafood generated nearly USD 24.29 Billion in 2025, accounting for about 15% of the fish and seafood market share. This segment is projected to expand at a CAGR of 2.9%, driven by convenience-oriented consumption and stable pricing.

Frozen Fish and Seafood

Frozen fish and seafood are gaining traction due to improved freezing technology and extended distribution reach. Approximately 49% of consumers opt for frozen seafood to reduce food waste. Processed fillets and shrimp account for nearly 54% of frozen seafood demand. Organized retail and online platforms contribute about 46% of frozen seafood sales, reflecting changing shopping behavior.

Frozen fish and seafood represented nearly USD 45.34 Billion in 2025, accounting for around 28% of the overall fish and seafood market. This segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1%, supported by urbanization and e-commerce expansion.

Other Fish and Seafood

Other fish and seafood products, including dried, smoked, and specialty seafood, serve niche consumption patterns. Around 22% of consumers purchase dried or smoked fish for traditional and regional cuisines. These products contribute significantly to rural and export-oriented markets, with nearly 38% of demand coming from cross-border trade.

This segment accounted for approximately USD 19.43 Billion in 2025, representing nearly 12% of the fish and seafood market. Growth is expected at a CAGR of 3.0%, supported by cultural food preferences and specialty retail demand.

By Application

Direct Consumption

Direct consumption dominates the fish and seafood market, driven by household cooking and foodservice usage. Nearly 66% of seafood volume is consumed directly in homes and restaurants. Urban households contribute approximately 53% of direct consumption demand, while restaurants and hotels account for close to 47%. Rising preference for high-protein diets continues to support this application segment.

Direct consumption accounted for nearly USD 105.25 Billion in 2025, representing around 65% of the total fish and seafood market. This segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.3%, supported by consistent dietary inclusion and foodservice expansion.

Processing Consumption

Processing consumption includes seafood used in packaged foods, ready meals, and industrial processing. Approximately 34% of fish and seafood volume is directed toward processing applications. Value-added seafood products contribute nearly 48% of processed consumption demand. Growth is supported by rising adoption of convenience foods and export-oriented processing facilities.

Processing consumption generated nearly USD 56.67 Billion in 2025, accounting for about 35% of the fish and seafood market. This segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.9%, driven by product innovation and retail-ready seafood demand.

Fish and Seafood Market Regional Outlook

The fish and seafood market shows diverse regional performance based on dietary habits, aquaculture capacity, and trade infrastructure. The global market was valued at USD 161.92 Billion in 2025 and reached USD 167.58 Billion in 2026, supported by rising protein demand and expanding cold-chain networks. Asia-Pacific holds the largest share due to high consumption volume and aquaculture output, followed by North America and Europe with strong retail and foodservice demand. Middle East & Africa continues to expand through imports and growing urban consumption. Regional market shares collectively account for 100% of global demand distribution.

North America

North America represents approximately 24% of the global fish and seafood market, supported by strong foodservice consumption and retail penetration. Around 61% of consumers include seafood in weekly meals, while frozen and processed seafood account for nearly 44% of regional demand. Sustainable sourcing influences about 52% of purchasing decisions. Imports contribute close to 68% of total seafood availability, reflecting reliance on global trade.

North America accounted for approximately USD 40.22 Billion in 2026, representing 24% of the global fish and seafood market. Growth is supported by restaurant demand, packaged seafood consumption, and dietary diversification.

Europe

Europe holds nearly 22% of the global fish and seafood market, driven by strong per-capita seafood consumption and established processing industries. Fresh fish accounts for around 54% of regional demand, while canned and smoked products contribute close to 29%. Coastal countries represent nearly 63% of total regional consumption, supported by traditional dietary habits.

Europe generated approximately USD 36.87 Billion in 2026, accounting for 22% of the global market, supported by steady household consumption and export-oriented processing.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific dominates the fish and seafood market with a share of approximately 38%, driven by high population density and aquaculture leadership. Nearly 72% of global aquaculture output originates from this region. Fresh and chilled fish represent around 61% of regional consumption. Urbanization contributes to nearly 46% of rising seafood demand across metropolitan areas.

Asia-Pacific accounted for approximately USD 63.68 Billion in 2026, representing 38% of the global fish and seafood market, supported by domestic consumption and export growth.

Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa account for approximately 16% of the global fish and seafood market, supported by rising imports and dietary diversification. Nearly 58% of seafood consumption depends on imports, while frozen seafood accounts for about 47% of demand. Urban consumption contributes close to 51% of total regional volume, supported by expanding retail infrastructure.

Middle East & Africa generated approximately USD 26.81 Billion in 2026, representing 16% of the global fish and seafood market, driven by population growth and improving cold-chain access.

List of Key Fish and Seafood Market Companies Profiled

Investment Analysis and Opportunities in Fish and Seafood Market

Investment activity in the fish and seafood market continues to intensify due to rising protein demand, aquaculture expansion, and cold-chain modernization. Nearly 46% of industry investments are directed toward aquaculture farming systems to stabilize supply and reduce dependence on wild catch. Processing and value-added seafood facilities attract around 34% of total investments, reflecting growing demand for ready-to-cook and packaged seafood. Cold storage and logistics infrastructure account for approximately 28% of capital allocation, aimed at reducing spoilage rates that currently affect close to 21% of seafood volume. Sustainability-focused investments represent nearly 31% of new funding, driven by traceability, feed efficiency, and waste reduction initiatives. Emerging markets contribute about 39% of new investment inflows, supported by rising urban consumption and retail expansion. These trends highlight strong long-term opportunities across production, processing, and distribution segments of the fish and seafood market.

New Products Development

New product development in the fish and seafood market focuses on convenience, nutrition, and extended shelf life. Nearly 42% of newly launched seafood products fall under ready-to-cook or ready-to-eat categories. Marinated and seasoned seafood variants account for around 36% of product innovations, targeting urban consumers seeking flavor diversity. High-protein and omega-enriched seafood products influence approximately 29% of new launches. Sustainable packaging adoption is observed in nearly 33% of product developments to reduce plastic usage and improve recyclability. Portion-controlled seafood packs represent about 27% of innovations, helping address food waste concerns. Plant-based seafood alternatives also account for close to 12% of new category entries, indicating diversification efforts. These developments enhance product differentiation and support evolving consumer preferences within the fish and seafood market.

Developments

• Marine Harvest expanded automated aquaculture systems in 2024, improving feed efficiency by nearly 18% and reducing mortality rates by approximately 12%, strengthening consistent supply across major production regions.

• Thai Union Frozen Products introduced upgraded frozen seafood packaging in 2024, extending shelf life by close to 22% and improving cold-chain performance across export-oriented markets.

• Leroy Seafood Group enhanced digital traceability solutions in 2024, enabling tracking for nearly 64% of its seafood volume and increasing transparency across processing and distribution stages.

• Iglo Group launched new ready-to-cook seafood meal kits in 2024, capturing approximately 17% higher consumer adoption within convenience-focused retail segments.

• Tassal Group invested in sustainable feed innovation during 2024, reducing environmental impact indicators by nearly 15% while improving yield efficiency across farming operations.

Report Coverage

The fish and seafood market report provides comprehensive coverage of industry structure, competitive positioning, segmentation performance, and regional demand patterns. The analysis includes detailed evaluation of product types, applications, and regional markets, supported by quantitative insights and percentage-based data. Strength assessment highlights that nearly 62% of market demand is supported by rising protein consumption and dietary diversification. Weakness analysis identifies supply volatility impacting approximately 34% of producers due to seasonal dependency and logistics constraints. Opportunity assessment indicates that value-added seafood products influence close to 38% of incremental demand, supported by urbanization and retail expansion. Threat analysis outlines regulatory and environmental pressures affecting nearly 29% of industry participants. The report also evaluates processing intensity, trade flows, and sustainability adoption, with nearly 41% of companies integrating traceability measures. Competitive analysis covers strategic initiatives, product innovation, and capacity expansion trends shaping the fish and seafood market landscape. Overall, the report delivers actionable insights for stakeholders across production, processing, distribution, and investment segments.