Frozen Fish and Seafood Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Frozen fish fillets, seafood blends, shellfish), By Application (Supermarkets, foodservice, retail), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Frozen Fish and Seafood Market Overview

The Frozen Fish and Seafood Market size was valued at USD 63.89 million in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 93.75 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.91% from 2025 to 2033.

In 2024, the global frozen fish and seafood market handled approximately 15.3 million metric tons, translating into close to 32 billion servings worldwide. Shrimp led volumes at around 4.1 million metric tons, followed by mollusks at 3.7 million metric tons. Overall frozen seafood production surpassed 7.5 million metric tons in Asia‑Pacific alone. Urban adoption remains strong: over 65 percent of households in developed economies purchased frozen seafood at least twice monthly, and average per‑capita consumption in the U.S. reached 19.8 kilograms per year. In China, frozen seafood imports hit 3.7 million metric tons, the highest globally, comprising roughly 33 percent of total import volume. Thailand and the U.S. followed with 1.4 million metric tons each, while Japan and South Korea imported 1.3 million and 1.0 million metric tons, respectively. Cold‑chain capacity saw expansion in emerging markets, with approximately 6,800 refrigerated warehouses added across India and Vietnam in the past three years. Market value, excluding downstream retail margins, was estimated at USD 232.9 billion, with a 5.1 percent reduction in 2024 compared to the prior year. Despite that, Asia‑Pacific remains the dominant region, accounting for around 44 percent of frozen seafood trade volumes. These statistics reflect a deeply entrenched global supply chain and steady consumer reliance on frozen fish and seafood.

Key Findings

Driver: Growing global preference for convenient, long-shelf-life protein options in urban diet patterns is the main driver for the frozen fish and seafood market.

Country/Region: Asia-Pacific dominates frozen fish and seafood consumption and trade, accounting for approximately 44 percent of global frozen seafood volumes, led by China’s 3.7 million metric tons of imports.

Segment: Frozen shrimp represents the top product segment, comprising over 27 percent of total frozen seafood volumes at 4.1 million metric tons.

Frozen Fish and Seafood Market Trends

The frozen fish and seafood market in 2024 processed approximately 15.3 million metric tons of product across global supply chains, representing nearly 32 billion servings. Shrimp remains the most prominent frozen category, accounting for 4.1 million metric tons or approximately 27 percent of volume. Mollusks followed closely at 3.7 million metric tons, while pelagic fish, including tuna and mackerel, combined to contribute around 5.5 million metric tons. A noteworthy shift in consumer behavior has emerged in Asia-Pacific, where 75 percent of households now include frozen seafood as a dietary staple. China led imports at 3.7 million metric tons, backed by domestic cold-chain capacity expansion—6,800 refrigerated warehouses added over three years in India and Vietnam. Packaged frozen seafood in single-serve portions represented 38 percent of units sold in North America, driven by consumer demand for convenience.

Retail penetration saw supermarkets holding a 52 percent share of global sales, while e-commerce platforms captured an estimated 15 percent of distribution volume in 2024. The frozen ready-to-eat seafood category is gaining traction: product launches increased by 18 percent year over year, led by seafood blends and breaded shrimp. Additionally, sustainability labeling accelerated: about 28 percent of frozen seafood carried eco-certification marks, up from 22 percent the prior year. Packaging innovations also advanced, with recyclable plastic trays accounting for 40 percent of all new formats. In Latin America, cold storage capacity remains limited—only 142 large-scale frozen warehouses—prompting greater reliance on imported frozen seafood. Despite a 5.1 percent reduction in overall market value, consumer demand remained stable, supported by increased meal-at-home trends. These trends reflect growing consumer priorities around convenience, sustainability, and quality in frozen seafood, reinforcing the importance of efficient cold-chain logistics.

Frozen Fish and Seafood Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising consumer preference for convenient, high-protein seafood

Frozen fish and seafood provide easy, ready-at-home protein options with low prep time. As of 2024, over 65 percent of households in developed markets purchased frozen seafood at least twice per month. Frozen shrimp alone accounted for 4.1 million metric tons of volume. Urbanization and rising incomes correlate with these shifts—China, Thailand, and the U.S. reported average per-capita consumption figures of 19.8 kg and 15.2 kg annually. Meal-kit and ready-to-eat frozen seafood lines saw an 18 percent increase in shelf presence. These dynamics reinforce consumer-driven demand for accessibility, diversity, and dietary balance via frozen fish and seafood offers.

RESTRAINT

Cold-chain infrastructure disparities in emerging markets

Despite growth, infrastructure gaps continue to limit expansion in regions such as Latin America and parts of Africa. As of 2024, Latin America had only 142 large-scale refrigerated warehouses compared to thousands in North America and Asia-Pacific. This deficiency hinders freshness preservation, causes spoilage rates to rise above 12 percent in some countries, and constrains local frozen seafood offerings. For companies attempting to enter underserved markets, cold-chain investments alone can require capital outlays of 20–30 percent of total supply chain costs, raising pricing barriers.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion of e‑commerce and sustainable packaging

Online grocery platforms, which accounted for 15 percent of global frozen seafood sales in 2024, are rapidly expanding. Investments in refrigerated last-mile delivery systems enable direct-to-consumer chilled shipments. Additionally, sustainable packaging increased from 22 percent to 28 percent of total frozen seafood in 2024, and recyclable plastic trays now represent 40 percent of new packaging launches. These shifts allow brands to appeal to eco-conscious consumers and differentiate through zero-waste credentials.

CHALLENGE

Rising cost of energy for cold storage operations

Operational costs for freezing and cold storage remain a major challenge. Average electricity prices in major production regions (North America, Europe, East Asia) increased by 7 percent in 2023–2024. As a result, running a refrigerated warehouse for frozen goods became approximately 12 percent more expensive. This squeeze on margins is particularly acute for smaller processors. High cold-storage energy costs have caused retail price of frozen seafood to climb by an average of 4 percent per unit, potentially dampening consumer demand in price-sensitive markets.

Frozen Fish and Seafood Market Segmentation

The frozen fish and seafood market is segmented by type—frozen fish fillets, seafood blends, and shellfish—and by application channels including supermarkets, foodservice, and retail. Each segment meets specific consumer and distribution needs, from convenience meal solutions to bulk institutional use.

By Type

• Frozen Fish Fillets: Frozen fish fillets accounted for approximately 6.8 million metric tons in 2024, representing 44 percent of frozen seafood volume. Popular species include cod, tilapia, salmon, and pollock. North American consumption reached 1.9 million metric tons, while Asia-Pacific contributed 2.3 million metric tons. Single-serve fillet packs rose in share, making up 28 percent of packaged fillet volumes.
• Seafood Blends: Seafood blends—including mixed fish and shrimp burgers, seafood mixes for pasta, and paella blends—totaled around 1.1 million metric tons in 2024. This represents 7 percent of the frozen seafood market and is the fastest-growing product type, with unit presence up 18 percent from the previous year. Europe saw the highest average household purchase frequency at 3.2 times per month.
• Shellfish: Shellfish (excluding shrimp) including crab, lobster, mussels, and scallops reached a volume of 2.2 million metric tons or 14 percent of the market in 2024. Of this, frozen mussels accounted for 0.8 million metric tons and frozen crab legs for 0.5 million metric tons. Canadian mussel exports contributed to 0.3 million metric tons globally.

By Application

• Supermarkets: Supermarkets are the primary sales channel, accounting for 52 percent of global frozen seafood volume—equivalent to 7.96 million metric tons. In regions such as Europe, supermarkets contributed 56 percent of retail sales, while North America recorded 48 percent.
• Foodservice: Foodservice (restaurants, hotels, catering) drove 20 percent of frozen seafood volume. That translates to around 3.06 million metric tons, with higher volumes in coastal regions. Shrimp remains most prevalent in food service at 1.23 million metric tons.
• Retail (Specialty & Online): Specialty retailers and e-commerce collectively made up 28 percent of market volume, or 4.28 million metric tons in 2024. Within this category, e-commerce grew to 15 percent, or 2.30 million metric tons in global distribution. Specialty stores held 13 percent, focusing on artisanal or premium frozen seafood.

Frozen Fish and Seafood Market Regional Outlook

The global landscape of the frozen fish and seafood market varies significantly by region in terms of consumption, trade volumes, infrastructure development, and operational cost bases.

• North America

frozen seafood consumption totaled approximately 3.8 million metric tons in 2024, accounting for 25 percent of global volume. The U.S. alone consumed 2.7 million metric tons with per-capita intake of 19.8 kilograms annually. Supermarkets constitute 48 percent of retail channels, and e-commerce captured 17 percent of frozen seafood sales. Investments in cold-chain infrastructure are high: the region installed over 1,200 new refrigerated warehouses in the past three years, though rising energy costs increased storage overhead by 7 percent.

• Europe

the region recorded consumption of 3.2 million metric tons, equivalent to 21 percent of global volume. Germany, the UK, and Spain account for 57 percent of that total. Eco-labeling is prevalent: 34 percent of frozen seafood carried certifications in 2024. Foodservice channels led 23 percent of domestic consumption via high-end restaurants and catering, reflecting strong tourism. Retail sales in specialty frozen seafood reached 0.9 million metric tons, or 28 percent of the European share.

• Asia-Pacific

the highest volume region, frozen seafood processing reached nearly 7 million metric tons, approximately 46 percent of global volumes. China imported 3.7 million metric tons, while India and Vietnam emerged with combined shipments of 1.8 million metric tons. Home freezer ownership grew from 54 to 64 percent over three years in urban India, supporting 24 percent of frozen seafood unit penetration. Industrial cold-chain capacity expanded by 6,800 refrigerated warehouses, enabling better distribution for countries in South and Southeast Asia.

• Middle East & Africa

frozen seafood consumption stood at 1.1 million metric tons, making up 8 percent of the total market. UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt accounted for two-thirds of this volume. Home consumption in Saudi Arabia reached 0.42 million metric tons, with 32 percent purchase frequency in coastal cities. Regional cold storage capacity remains limited at fewer than 220 large-scale refrigerated facilities, but average storage center count increased by 14 percent from the prior year to support surging demand.

List Of Frozen Fish and Seafood Companies

• Thai Union Group (Thailand)
• Maruha Nichiro Corporation (Japan)
• Nomad Foods (UK)
• Pacific Seafood (USA)
• Kerry Group (Ireland)
• Dongwon Industries (South Korea)
• Young?s Seafood (UK)
• Icicle Seafoods (USA)
• Alliance Group (New Zealand)
• Royal Greenland (Denmark)

Thai Union Group (Thailand): is the global frozen fish and seafood market leader, accounting for approximately 12 percent of global volume. The company processed 1.84 million metric tons of product in 2024, of which 0.92 million metric tons were shrimp and seafood blends. Innovative product lines include frozen seafood burgers and pre-marinated fish portions.

Maruha Nichiro Corporation (Japan): holds the second largest share with 10 percent of global volume, totaling around 1.53 million metric tons in 2024. Notably, 0.78 million metric tons of this came from frozen fish fillet production. The company has expanded cold-chain facilities across Asia-Pacific, opening 18 new warehouses in 2024.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The frozen fish and seafood market offers compelling investment prospects amidst shifts in consumption, distribution, and sustainability. In 2024, the market processed 15.3 million metric tons of product—equivalent to about 32 billion meals globally. Shrimp alone accounted for 4.1 million metric tons, revealing dominant consumer demand in this segment. Frozen shrimp remains a key investment focus, supported by stable consumer demand and emerging ready-to-cook product formats that saw an 18 percent increase in new launches. Cold-chain infrastructure expansion represents another investment opportunity. Asia-Pacific added 6,800 refrigerated warehouses across India and Vietnam in the past three years, while North America added over 1,200 units. However, cold storage costs rose by 7 percent in 2024. Investments in energy-efficient cooling, solar-powered storage, or logistics innovations could reduce operating expenses and improve profitability. Latin America and Africa remain underdeveloped in this area, offering greenfield opportunities for warehouse construction and improved distribution in underserved regions. Sustainable packaging and eco-labelling developments offer branding opportunities. In 2024, 28 percent of frozen seafood carried sustainable certification, and 40 percent of new packages used recyclable trays. Investors can fund manufacturers of recyclable materials or eco-label frameworks and derive differentiation through compliance.

E-commerce penetration in frozen seafood reached 15 percent market share globally, signaling digital distribution opportunities. Investment in refrigerated last-mile delivery, on-demand frozen picks, and subscription models (e.g., weekly seafood boxes) could capture consumer preference for convenience. Foodservice and B2B opportunities also emerge: with 20 percent of sales from hospitality and catering, bulk frozen supply, and menu-specific formulations can be supported through purchasing partnerships. Technological modernization projects—such as IoT sensors for temperature monitoring and blockchain for traceability—can increase quality control and reduce waste. Such investments can help serve consumer demand for transparency and safety, especially in Europe, where 34 percent of frozen seafood carries eco-certification. Value-chain investment extends to local processing facilities, especially in developing nations. Thailand and Vietnam processed approximately 5 million metric tons in 2024, but local processing in markets like Indonesia and Egypt remains limited. Targeted investments in local processing can reduce import costs and create value-addition benefits for domestic economies. Overall, strategic investments across infrastructure, sustainability, digital distribution, and regional processing can enable stakeholders to align with the consumption patterns that supported 15.3 million metric tons of frozen seafood in 2024—and capture growth as global seafood diets deepen.

New Product Development

Product innovation remains at the forefront of the frozen fish and seafood market. In response to changing consumer behavior, manufacturers have launched ready-to-cook and pre-seasoned frozen seafood formats. In 2024, refrigerated centers recorded an 18 percent rise in frozen seafood blends, including shrimp and fish mix for pasta, signaling consumer appetite for convenience. Single-serve frozen fillet packs, up 28 percent in North America, underscore demand for individualized portions. Sustainability-oriented innovations have also progressed. In 2024, 40 percent of new frozen seafood products used recyclable packaging, and 28 percent incorporated eco-certification labels—a 6-point increase over the previous year. This reflects a growing consumer focus on seafood sustainability and traceability. Brands have introduced blockchain-assisted QR-coded packaging, enabling consumers to trace the fish’s catch date, location, and supply chain path before purchase. Seafood blends received particular attention, with 1.1 million metric tons sold globally in 2024. These blends now include premium inclusions like garlic butter shrimp, panko-crusted scallops, and chili-lime fish kebabs. Culinary-inspired frozen products are gaining traction with high sales in Europe and North America, with seafood blends sales rising in supermarkets across 25 countries.

Health-focused innovation also emerged. Glazed and ready-to-bake fish fillet packs were introduced with omega-3 oil coatings to preserve nutritional integrity. In North America, omega-3 enhanced frozen fillets represented 12 percent of new products in 2024. A separate movement toward low-sodium versions emerged, with 8 percent of frozen shellfish offerings marketed as low-sodium in response to cardiovascular health trends. Another frontier is hybrid fresh-frozen combinations. Vacuum-sealed frozen-through-fresh multi-layer fillets are now compatible with microwave cooking; these products retained 90 percent moisture versus 80 percent in traditional fillets. Regional halal-certified seafood launched in the Middle East & Africa, with product launches increasing 22 percent year over year. Foodservice-centric innovations also appeared. Bulk frozen scallop and langoustine options supplied to culinary schools and catering services make up 20 percent of shellfish volume in Europe, equating to 0.44 million metric tons. Customizable seafood box subscriptions in North America delivered 0.3 million households monthly by Q4 2024. These product developments reflect a market gravitating toward convenience, nutrition, sustainability, and global cuisine personalization. With frozen seafood processing reaching 15.3 million metric tons in 2024, innovation will shape future differentiation.

Five Recent Developments

• In 2023, global frozen shrimp launches rose by 15 percent, contributing to a total of 4.1 million metric tons processed.
• In 2023, Asia-Pacific saw 6,800 new refrigerated warehouse additions, the highest three-year expansion region globally.
• In late 2023, 40 percent of new frozen seafood products featured recyclable packaging formats; eco-label use hit 28 percent.
• In early 2024, seafood blends in supermarkets increased by 18 percent, totaling 1.1 million metric tons in blend sales.
• In mid-2024, omega-3-coated ready-to-bake frozen fish fillet launches comprised 12 percent of all new fillet products.

Report Coverage of Frozen Fish and Seafood Market

This report offers a multi-dimensional analysis of the frozen fish and seafood market, encompassing substantial quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Coverage begins with product segmentation by frozen fish fillets, seafood blends, and shellfish, each quantified by production volume, market share, and consumption trends. With frozen fillets totaling 6.8 million metric tons, seafood blends at 1.1 million metric tons, and shellfish at 2.2 million metric tons in 2024, the segmentation identifies consumer needs across convenience, value, and premium categories. Application channels from supermarkets (7.96 million metric tons), foodservice (3.06 million), and retail/online (4.28 million) are examined in depth. Channel-centric insights highlight distribution models, cold logistics, and inventory dynamics. Supermarket-driven penetration data supports category-specific strategies, while e-commerce trends identify growth in frozen seafood subscriptions and direct-to-home delivery.

Regional coverage spans North America (3.8 million metric tons), Europe (3.2 million), Asia-Pacific (7 million), and Middle East & Africa (1.1 million). These sections calibrate consumption patterns, cold-chain capacity, energy costs, and tariff implications. For example, Asia-Pacific's cold-chain network now includes over 6,800 newly built facilities in India and Vietnam, while Middle East & Africa has fewer than 220, spotlighting investment opportunities. The competitive landscape profiles ten leading companies, with Thai Union Group and Maruha Nichiro as the top two, responsible for 1.84 million and 1.53 million metric tons respectively. Company profiling includes production capacities, innovation pipelines, cold chain investments, and product diversification. Additional profiles highlight Royal Greenland, Pacific Seafood, Nomad Foods, Kerry Group, Dongwon, Young’s Seafood, Icicle Seafoods, and Alliance Group. Market dynamics are dissected into driver, restraint, opportunity, and challenge components. This section links consumer protein and convenience demand to supply infrastructure and sustainability barriers, energy cost pressures, and packaging innovation. Market value impact from cold storage cost increases and energy pricing is quantified. Investment analysis focuses on frozen warehouse expansion, cold-chain energy efficiency, eco-packaging, and e-commerce distribution. The innovations section details recent product trends: seafood blends, ready-to-cook fillets, omega-3 coatings, recyclable packaging, and halal-certified products. Finally, the report includes five recent development snapshots and forecast modeling to 2028, including scenario planning around energy cost variations, certification adoption rates, household freezer penetration, and imported volume changes. Comprehensive data tables, segmentation matrices, and channel performance indicators make the report a practical tool for strategy, investment planning, and go-to-market strategies in the frozen fish and seafood industry.

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