Global Fresh Fish and Seafood Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends and Forecast (2025 - 2031)

• In January 2022, in the US a fishing company named Wanchese Fish Company a division of cook aquaculture Inc. launched its new shrimp trawler model to be operated in the south of the Argentine sea.

• In December 2021, Pacific seafood launched a processed seafood product for the eCommerce site amazon and amazon is partnering with Pacific seafood to launch around 20 processed seafood items for its platform.

The global fresh fish and seafood market can be segmented into several key categories based on factors such as species, product type, and distribution channel. Species segmentation includes a wide variety of fish and seafood, ranging from popular species like salmon, tuna, shrimp, and cod to niche species appreciated for their regional or culinary significance. Each species segment within the market presents distinct market dynamics influenced by factors such as availability, demand trends, and sustainability practices. For instance, salmon is highly sought after globally for its rich flavor and nutritional benefits, while shrimp is prized for its versatility and widespread use in various cuisines.

Product type segmentation in the fresh fish and seafood market distinguishes between different forms of seafood products, including fresh fillets, whole fish, shellfish, and processed seafood items such as smoked fish and seafood salads. Fresh fillets and whole fish are often preferred by consumers seeking premium, unprocessed seafood, while processed seafood products cater to convenience-driven markets and value-added product segments. The market for processed seafood products continues to expand, driven by innovations in packaging, preservation techniques, and consumer demand for ready-to-eat seafood options.

Distribution channels segment the market into retail outlets, foodservice providers, and online platforms. Retail outlets, including supermarkets, specialty seafood markets, and fishmongers, play a crucial role in providing consumers with a wide selection of fresh fish and seafood products. These outlets benefit from consumer preferences for inspecting and selecting seafood firsthand, ensuring freshness and quality. Foodservice providers, such as restaurants, hotels, and catering services, constitute a significant portion of the market, where fresh fish and seafood are key ingredients in culinary offerings catering to diverse tastes and dining experiences. Online platforms have emerged as a growing distribution channel, offering consumers convenient access to a variety of fresh fish and seafood products through e-commerce platforms that facilitate direct-to-consumer sales and home delivery services.

Global Fresh Fish and Seafood Segment Analysis

In this report, the Global Fresh Fish and Seafood Market has been segmented by Category, Distribution Channel, and Geography.

Global Fresh Fish and Seafood Market, Segmentation by Category

The Global Fresh Fish and Seafood Market has been segmented by Category into Dried Seafood, Salted Seafood, Smoked Seafood, Frozen Seafood, and Others.

Dried seafood constitutes a significant segment within the market, characterized by seafood products that have been preserved through dehydration. Dried seafood items include a wide range of species such as fish, squid, shrimp, and seaweed, which are traditionally consumed in various Asian cuisines for their concentrated flavors and extended shelf life. This segment is popular in regions where dried seafood is integral to cultural dishes and culinary traditions, offering convenience and flavor enhancement in soups, stews, and stir-fries.

Salted seafood represents another important category, where seafood products are preserved through salting techniques that draw out moisture and inhibit bacterial growth. Salted fish and seafood, such as salted cod (bacalao) and salted anchovies, are prized for their intense flavors and ability to be stored without refrigeration, historically serving as staple foods in coastal regions with limited access to fresh seafood. This category continues to appeal to consumers seeking preserved seafood options that enhance dishes with unique umami flavors and texture.

Smoked seafood, including smoked salmon, trout, and mackerel, comprises a premium segment within the fresh fish and seafood market. Smoking involves curing seafood over wood smoke, imparting distinctive smoky flavors and enhancing preservation. Smoked seafood products are valued for their gourmet appeal and versatility, often enjoyed as appetizers, sandwich fillings, or additions to salads and pasta dishes. The popularity of smoked seafood has grown due to its robust flavor profile and the artisanal craftsmanship associated with traditional smoking methods.

Frozen seafood represents a significant portion of the market, encompassing a wide range of fish and shellfish that are frozen immediately after harvest or processing to maintain freshness and quality. Frozen seafood products include fillets, whole fish, shrimp, and calamari, offering consumers convenient access to seafood year-round regardless of seasonal availability. This segment benefits from advancements in freezing technologies that preserve seafood nutrients and flavors, making it a popular choice for both retail and foodservice sectors.

Global Fresh Fish and Seafood Market, Segmentation by Distribution Channel

The Global Fresh Fish and Seafood Market has been segmented by Distribution Channel into Supermarkets & Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Speciality Stores, Online Retail, and Others.

Supermarkets and hypermarkets represent the largest distribution channel for fresh fish and seafood, offering a wide selection of products ranging from whole fish and fillets to shellfish and value-added seafood items. These large-scale retail outlets benefit from their extensive product offerings, competitive pricing, and convenience, attracting a broad customer base seeking quality seafood for home consumption. Supermarkets often emphasize freshness and product safety, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and consumer expectations.

Convenience stores play a vital role in urban areas by providing quick access to fresh fish and seafood products for consumers seeking convenience and immediate consumption options. These smaller retail outlets typically offer a limited selection of seafood items, including pre-packaged fillets, shrimp, and sushi rolls, catering to impulse purchases and on-the-go lifestyles. Convenience stores leverage their strategic locations and extended operating hours to serve as convenient destinations for purchasing seafood snacks and essentials.

Specialty stores, including seafood markets, fishmongers, and gourmet food shops, cater to discerning consumers seeking premium and specialty seafood products. These outlets differentiate themselves by offering a curated selection of fresh, sustainably sourced seafood, often featuring local and seasonal varieties. Specialty stores prioritize quality, freshness, and personalized customer service, appealing to seafood enthusiasts, chefs, and culinary professionals seeking unique and artisanal seafood options.

Online retail has emerged as a growing distribution channel for fresh fish and seafood, facilitated by e-commerce platforms that enable consumers to browse, purchase, and receive seafood products directly to their doorstep. Online retailers offer a diverse range of seafood options, including fresh fillets, live shellfish, and specialty seafood products not readily available in local markets. The convenience of online shopping, coupled with secure packaging and reliable delivery services, has contributed to the increasing popularity of purchasing seafood online, particularly among busy households and consumers in geographically remote areas.

Global Fresh Fish and Seafood Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Global Fresh Fish and Seafood Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.

Global Fresh Fish and Seafood Market Share (%), by Geographical Region, 2024

North America remains a significant consumer and producer of fresh fish and seafood, driven by high demand for a variety of species including salmon, shrimp, and lobster. The region benefits from well-developed fishing industries in countries such as the United States and Canada, supported by stringent regulatory standards ensuring sustainability and seafood quality. The market is further bolstered by robust distribution networks encompassing supermarkets, specialty seafood markets, and online retailers, catering to diverse consumer preferences for seafood consumption.

Europe stands out as a major player in the global fresh fish and seafood market, characterized by a rich culinary heritage and strong consumer demand for both local and imported seafood products. Countries such as Norway, Spain, and France are renowned for their seafood traditions, with regions like Scandinavia and the Mediterranean contributing to the market with a wide array of fish and shellfish species. The European market benefits from strict adherence to environmental regulations and sustainable fishing practices, ensuring the long-term viability of seafood resources and supporting artisanal fishing communities. Retail channels include specialty seafood shops, hypermarkets, and online platforms, offering consumers access to fresh and premium seafood products year-round.

In the Asia Pacific region, countries like China, Japan, and South Korea dominate both in seafood consumption and production. Asia Pacific accounts for a significant portion of global aquaculture production, supplying a diverse range of seafood products to domestic markets and international export markets. The region's market is characterized by a strong cultural preference for seafood, with fish and shellfish featuring prominently in traditional cuisines and culinary practices. Rapid urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and evolving dietary habits drive growth in the Asia Pacific fresh fish and seafood market, supported by modern retail infrastructure and online shopping platforms catering to consumer demand for convenience and product variety.

The Middle East and Africa, along with Latin America, also contribute to the global fresh fish and seafood market through regional fisheries and aquaculture operations. These regions are characterized by diverse aquatic ecosystems and seafood species, catering to local consumption patterns and export markets. Economic development, improvements in transportation infrastructure, and increasing consumer awareness of seafood's nutritional benefits contribute to market growth in these regions. Overall, the global fresh fish and seafood market from 2020 to 2030 reflects a dynamic landscape shaped by regional production capabilities, consumer preferences, and regulatory frameworks that influence market trends and opportunities worldwide.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Global Fresh Fish and Seafood Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis.

Drivers, Restraints and Opportunity Analysis

Drivers:

• Growing Awareness of Health Benefits
• Expansion of Aquaculture
• Rising Disposable Incomes

• Innovations in Fishing Techniques - Innovations in fishing techniques are transforming the global fish and seafood market, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and product quality across the industry. Advanced technologies such as satellite monitoring, GPS tracking systems, and sonar technology are revolutionizing the way commercial fisheries operate. These innovations enable fishermen to accurately locate fish stocks, optimize fishing routes, and reduce bycatch, minimizing environmental impact and ensuring the long-term viability of fish populations.

  The adoption of selective fishing gear and methods, such as circle hooks and escape panels in nets, helps target specific fish species while minimizing unintended catches of non-target species and juvenile fish. This selective approach supports sustainable fisheries management practices and contributes to the conservation of marine biodiversity. By implementing these innovations, fishermen can comply with regulatory requirements and certifications related to sustainable fishing practices, enhancing their market competitiveness and access to premium seafood markets.

  Innovations in fishing techniques extend beyond catch methods to include improvements in onboard handling and preservation technologies. Rapid chilling systems and onboard processing facilities allow fishermen to maintain the freshness and quality of fish and seafood from harvest to market. This reduces post-catch losses, improves product shelf life, and meets consumer demand for high-quality, traceable seafood products. Additionally, advancements in packaging and transportation technologies ensure that seafood reaches global markets in optimal condition, minimizing spoilage and maintaining product integrity.

Restraints:

• Regulatory Compliance Challenges
• Seasonal Variability in Supply
• Quality and Safety Concerns

• Transportation and Logistics Costs - Transportation and logistics costs represent significant considerations in the global fish and seafood market, impacting the profitability, efficiency, and competitiveness of seafood suppliers and distributors worldwide. The complexities involved in transporting perishable seafood products from fishing grounds or aquaculture facilities to consumer markets necessitate robust logistical strategies and infrastructure investments to ensure timely delivery while maintaining product freshness and quality.

  High transportation costs are often influenced by several factors, including fuel prices, distance traveled, shipping routes, and regulatory requirements. Seafood that requires rapid and temperature-controlled transportation to preserve its freshness incurs higher freight expenses, particularly for airfreight and specialized refrigerated containers. These costs can fluctuate seasonally and are influenced by global economic conditions and geopolitical events that affect shipping routes and trade agreements.

  Efforts to mitigate transportation costs in the fish and seafood industry include optimizing shipping routes, consolidating shipments, and implementing efficient logistics management systems. Collaborations between seafood suppliers, transport companies, and logistics providers can streamline supply chain operations, reduce transit times, and lower overall transportation expenses. Additionally, advancements in container technology, such as improved insulation and monitoring systems, enhance the ability to maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels during transit, reducing the risk of product spoilage and waste.

Opportunities:

• Development of Sustainable Practices
• Technological Advancements in Processing
• Rise in Online Seafood Retail

• Product Innovation and Diversification - Product innovation and diversification are driving forces in the evolution of the global fish and seafood market, offering opportunities for growth, differentiation, and meeting changing consumer preferences. Innovations in seafood product development encompass a range of strategies, including the introduction of new species, value-added processing techniques, and novel product formats that appeal to diverse culinary tastes and dietary preferences.

  One aspect of product innovation involves expanding the range of seafood species available to consumers. Traditionally popular species like salmon and tuna are being supplemented with lesser-known or underutilized species that offer distinct flavors, textures, and nutritional benefits. This diversification not only broadens consumer choices but also promotes sustainable fishing practices by reducing pressure on overexploited fish stocks and supporting fisheries for alternative species with healthy population levels.

  Value-added processing techniques are another area of innovation in the seafood industry, aimed at enhancing convenience, flavor, and nutritional value. This includes the development of pre-marinated seafood products, ready-to-cook meal kits, portioned fillets, and seafood-based snacks. These value-added products cater to consumers' busy lifestyles and desire for convenient meal solutions while offering new culinary experiences and expanding market reach.

Key players in Global Fresh Fish and Seafood Market include :

• Grupo Freiremar
• HIRO
• LEE FISHING COMPANY
• Leigh Fisheries
• Marine Harvest
• Morrisons
• Seattle Fish Company
• Tesco
• True World Foods

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis