Frozen Seafood Market Size, Share & Report [2033]

Frozen Seafood Market Overview

Global frozen seafood market size in 2024 is estimated to be USD 22381.21 million, with projections to grow to USD 26983.13 million by 2033 at a CAGR of 2.1%.

The frozen seafood market has experienced substantial growth due to changing consumer eating patterns and increased demand for long-shelf-life protein products. In 2024, over 65% of urban households in developed countries purchased frozen seafood products at least twice a month. The volume of frozen seafood traded globally exceeded 15.3 million metric tons, with shrimp accounting for 4.1 million metric tons and mollusks contributing 3.7 million metric tons. Cold chain infrastructure expansions in emerging economies such as India and Vietnam saw 6,800 new refrigerated warehouses built in the last three years, enhancing frozen seafood logistics capabilities. In Japan, over 45% of seafood consumed in metropolitan areas was frozen. In the U.S., the average consumer purchased 19.8 kilograms of frozen seafood annually. Asia-Pacific dominated frozen seafood production, accounting for over 7.5 million metric tons in 2024 alone. High penetration of online grocery channels contributed to the rising sales of frozen seafood, with over 1.2 million online seafood transactions recorded weekly in the U.K. Sustainability-driven fishing practices increased, with 520 frozen seafood SKUs in Europe bearing eco-certification labels. These dynamics illustrate the diverse and growing nature of the global frozen seafood market.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Rising consumer demand for protein-rich, preservable seafood options.

Top Country/Region: Asia-Pacific leads with over 7.5 million metric tons of frozen seafood production in 2024.

Top Segment: Shrimp remains dominant, accounting for 4.1 million metric tons globally in 2024.

Frozen Seafood Market Trends

The frozen seafood market is witnessing a surge in consumer preference due to its convenience, shelf stability, and nutritional value. In 2024, more than 55% of consumers aged 25 to 40 across Europe opted for frozen seafood over fresh alternatives. This trend is further bolstered by improved flash-freezing technologies that preserve taste and nutritional content. In Germany alone, frozen seafood sales rose by 11.7%, with crustacean segments contributing 3.2 million kilograms.

E-commerce has emerged as a major distribution channel, with digital seafood orders growing by 28% in China between 2023 and 2024. The number of e-grocery platforms offering frozen seafood in India increased from 90 to 162 within one year. Restaurants and foodservice chains have also contributed to this trend by incorporating frozen seafood into supply chains due to its cost-effectiveness, accounting for 38% of the demand across commercial kitchens in North America.

Additionally, premiumization trends have entered the frozen seafood segment. More than 820 frozen seafood SKUs launched in the last 18 months included value-added features like seasoning, sauces, or ready-to-eat formats. In the UK, 1 in every 5 frozen seafood products purchased included added spices or pre-cooked options.

Environmental sustainability is another dominant trend. A total of 9.3 million kilograms of frozen seafood sold in the EU in 2024 were certified sustainable. The number of Marine Stewardship Council-certified frozen seafood suppliers rose by 12.6% compared to the previous year. In Southeast Asia, initiatives to freeze surplus fish stock for future use have led to a reduction of 14% in post-harvest loss, equivalent to 510,000 metric tons.

Rising middle-class incomes and busy lifestyles have also played a crucial role. For instance, in Vietnam, frozen seafood sales grew by 17.2% in 2024 due to increasing dual-income households. Similar patterns were observed in Brazil, where urban centers recorded a 9.6% year-on-year increase in frozen seafood demand.

Frozen Seafood Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for protein-rich and long-shelf-life seafood.

The frozen seafood market has gained significant traction due to an increasing global preference for protein-rich diets and convenience in food preparation. In 2024, over 3.1 billion people consumed seafood as a key dietary protein source. Frozen options accounted for 46% of this consumption. As urbanization spreads, with 4.3 billion people living in cities, frozen seafood is chosen for its availability and reduced spoilage risks. Urban retail outlets stocked 22% more frozen seafood SKUs in 2024 compared to the previous year. Moreover, freezer ownership in rural households rose by 18%, enabling expanded market penetration.

RESTRAINT

Cold chain dependency and infrastructure limitations.

Despite the growth, the frozen seafood market remains heavily reliant on consistent cold chain logistics. In Africa, nearly 41% of seafood losses were attributed to inadequate freezing and storage facilities. More than 22 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa had less than 0.4 cold storage units per 10,000 people. In South Asia, 11,000 tons of seafood were lost annually due to temperature inconsistencies in logistics. High electricity costs, accounting for up to 19% of operational expenses in seafood freezing, further strain smaller enterprises. These infrastructure-related constraints limit the expansion potential of frozen seafood distribution.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion of e-commerce platforms for frozen foods.

The surge in e-commerce provides immense opportunities for the frozen seafood market. In 2023, 76 million consumers globally purchased frozen seafood through digital channels. The average online seafood order size increased from 4.2 kg in 2022 to 6.3 kg in 2024. Major urban centers like Shanghai, Mumbai, and São Paulo witnessed 2.1 million cumulative seafood deliveries monthly. Cold chain-enabled last-mile delivery networks grew by 22% in South America. Tech-enabled tracking and dynamic pricing models attracted 3.6 million new digital consumers. Companies offering bundled frozen seafood meals reported 31% higher conversion rates in 2024 compared to 2022.

CHALLENGE

Price volatility and supply disruptions in seafood harvests.

Fluctuating catch volumes and seasonal fishing bans continue to pose challenges. In 2024, global shrimp yields declined by 6.4% due to disease outbreaks in hatcheries across Southeast Asia. Price spikes saw a 19% cost increase per kilogram of premium crustaceans in Q3 2024. Cyclonic activity in the Indian Ocean affected over 180 fishing days, reducing supply by 320,000 metric tons. Trade barriers and shipping disruptions further complicated imports, with EU frozen seafood imports from Asia decreasing by 8.7% year-on-year. These fluctuations disrupt inventory planning and pricing strategies for distributors.

Frozen Seafood Market Segmentation

The frozen seafood market is segmented by type and application, reflecting diverse consumer needs and distribution methods. By type, frozen seafood includes shrimps, crustaceans, shellfish, and mollusks. By application, the market comprises supermarkets and hypermarkets, convenience stores, online stores, and others such as foodservice distributors.

By Type

Shrimps: Shrimps accounted for over 4.1 million metric tons of global frozen seafood production in 2024. Thailand, Ecuador, and India collectively exported more than 2.9 million metric tons of frozen shrimp. Retail chains in the U.S. sold an average of 1.3 million kilograms of frozen shrimp monthly. Shrimp variants, including peeled and deveined formats, contributed 57% of the overall frozen crustacean category.
Crustaceans: Frozen crustaceans, including crabs and lobsters, made up 2.2 million metric tons in 2024. In Canada alone, frozen lobster exports exceeded 590,000 metric tons. High-value crustaceans are increasingly packaged with seasoning sauces, accounting for 410,000 frozen product units sold in 2024 across premium markets. Crustaceans are most popular in gourmet retail outlets and foodservice chains, especially in Europe.
Shellfish: Shellfish sales surpassed 1.6 million metric tons globally in 2024. Mussels and clams formed 68% of the frozen shellfish category. In Spain, over 31,000 metric tons of frozen shellfish were consumed annually. Vacuum-sealed packaging improved shelf life, leading to 23% growth in export-ready frozen shellfish formats.
Molluscs: Molluscs such as octopus and squid accounted for 3.7 million metric tons in the frozen seafood market. Japan and Korea consumed more than 890,000 metric tons of frozen mollusks in 2024. Pre-cooked mollusc options recorded 42% higher year-on-year sales in retail, driven by rising demand for ready-to-eat formats.

By Application

Supermarkets and Hypermarkets: This channel dominated sales with 58% of all frozen seafood units sold in 2024. Hypermarkets in Europe stocked an average of 540 SKUs of frozen seafood, with peak weekly sales reaching 1.4 million units during holidays. Bulk discounting models were preferred, especially in the U.S., where 6-packs of frozen fish fillets were top-selling formats.
Convenience Stores: Convenience stores represented 16% of frozen seafood purchases. Japan's 24-hour retail chains recorded 870,000 units of frozen seafood sold monthly. Compact frozen seafood packaging was introduced to suit small-format stores, each unit weighing between 150g and 400g.
Online Stores: Online platforms captured 21% of market share in 2024. More than 162 platforms in India offered direct-to-home frozen seafood delivery. Germany registered over 700,000 frozen seafood orders monthly via mobile apps. Subscription-based seafood meal kits grew 38% in urban markets.
Others (Foodservice, Institutional): Institutional buyers such as restaurants and hotels accounted for 5% of sales. Cruise liners procured 19,000 metric tons of frozen seafood in 2024. Airline catering divisions ordered 2.1 million frozen seafood meals annually for long-haul flights.

Frozen Seafood Market Regional Outlook

The global frozen seafood market exhibits significant regional disparities driven by infrastructure, consumption habits, and production capabilities. In 2024, Asia-Pacific contributed over 48% of the total market volume, while North America and Europe followed with 22% and 19%, respectively. Africa and the Middle East collectively accounted for the remaining 11%.

North America

In North America, the frozen seafood market remained robust, with the United States consuming over 3.9 million metric tons in 2024. Canada’s frozen seafood exports, particularly lobsters, crossed 1.2 million metric tons, mainly destined for the U.S. and China. Retail stores in North America expanded frozen seafood shelf space by 13% year-over-year. Seafood-based ready meals increased by 1.8 million units across U.S. supermarkets. Cold storage capacity rose by 7.6% in 2024, with 140 new facilities dedicated to seafood preservation.

Europe

Europe continued to favor frozen seafood due to sustainability initiatives and dietary preferences. Germany, France, and the UK collectively consumed 2.7 million metric tons of frozen seafood in 2024. Spain led mollusc consumption, with 460,000 metric tons. Online frozen seafood orders across the EU surged by 24%. Over 58% of frozen seafood sold in Scandinavia had eco-certifications. European foodservice accounted for 920,000 metric tons, driven by institutional meal contracts and catering.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific remained the global hub for both production and consumption. China processed over 4.2 million metric tons of frozen seafood, of which 1.3 million metric tons were exported. India’s frozen shrimp exports reached 730,000 metric tons. Indonesia and Vietnam contributed an additional 890,000 metric tons. Japan and South Korea together consumed 1.5 million metric tons of frozen mollusks and crustaceans. Regional cold chain infrastructure grew by 18.4%, enabling broader inland penetration.

Middle East & Africa

The Middle East and Africa saw gradual growth, especially through institutional contracts and rising imports. The UAE imported 210,000 metric tons of frozen seafood in 2024, mainly from Southeast Asia. Saudi Arabia’s frozen fish fillet sales reached 87,000 metric tons. Africa’s consumption stood at 670,000 metric tons, with Nigeria and Egypt being key importers. Expansion of cold chains led to a 9% rise in frozen seafood retail outlets across major urban centers.

List of Top Frozen Seafood Market Companies

Premium Seafood
The Sirena
M&J Seafood
Sykes & Sons
Beaver Street Fisheries
Mazetta
Castlerock
AquaChile
Clearwater Seafood
High Liner Foods
Leroy Seafood

Top Two Companies with Highest Market Share

High Liner Foods: Distributed over 215 million kilograms of frozen seafood across North America in 2024 and operated over 13 large-scale cold storage and distribution centers.

AquaChile: Produced and exported over 240,000 metric tons of frozen salmon, mainly to Europe and Asia, controlling 7.8% of global salmon freezing capacity.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The frozen seafood market continues to attract strong investment interest due to growing consumer demand, supply chain innovation, and digital retail expansion. In 2024, over 80 new processing plants with freezing capabilities were commissioned across Asia and South America. The global investment in cold storage infrastructure rose by 19.2%, with over $14.7 billion allocated to improve seafood logistics capabilities—this included 11,200 new refrigerated trucks added to fleets serving frozen seafood logistics.

Investments in technology-focused supply chain tracking also gained traction. Over 350 frozen seafood processors implemented blockchain systems for traceability, allowing transparency from ocean to plate. These systems facilitated better compliance with food safety standards and gave rise to premium pricing, with blockchain-certified products being sold at a 9% markup compared to traditional options.

There was also a significant uptick in investments targeting value-added frozen seafood products. More than 2,100 product SKUs launched globally in 2024 included marinated, pre-cooked, or breaded formats, creating differentiation in supermarket aisles. Startups in the ready-meal seafood space attracted over 73 investor deals globally. The average deal size rose from $2.4 million in 2022 to $3.9 million in 2024.

In India, Vietnam, and Thailand, government-backed incentives contributed to a 23% increase in seafood freezing units and packaging plants. Subsidies and loans enabled over 2,600 micro-processors to upgrade to international freezing standards. African nations such as Nigeria and Kenya allocated over $340 million for fisheries modernization, targeting improved cold storage and solar-powered freezing units for off-grid coastal regions.

Venture capital interest in sustainable frozen seafood also increased. A total of 14 startups focusing on plant-based seafood alternatives and lab-grown fish products secured funding in 2024, producing 920,000 kilograms of frozen alternative seafood in pilot plants across Canada and the Netherlands.

Public-private partnerships helped expand frozen seafood access to rural and underserved regions. In Brazil, such initiatives led to a 37% increase in availability of frozen seafood products in tier-3 towns. These investment flows and infrastructure improvements collectively signal a promising horizon for market players involved in the frozen seafood ecosystem.

New Product Development

Innovation in the frozen seafood market is accelerating, particularly in response to evolving consumer tastes, food safety regulations, and the need for convenience. In 2024, more than 3,000 new frozen seafood product variants were launched globally, covering both retail and foodservice channels.

One significant trend is the rise of ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat formats. Over 860 new SKUs introduced between 2023 and 2024 included microwavable frozen seafood packs. In the United States, the ""15-minute prep"" label became a key marketing strategy, with 1.2 million units sold in less than a year. Companies like The Sirena and Mazetta introduced seasoning-infused frozen fish filets, leading to a 14% increase in repeat purchase rates.

Sustainability-driven innovation is another cornerstone of new product development. More than 190 SKUs released in 2024 included biodegradable or recyclable packaging specifically for frozen seafood. Europe led this trend, with Germany and France accounting for 63% of new sustainable frozen seafood launches. AquaChile launched an eco-labeled frozen salmon range in 7 European countries, selling 320,000 units within six months.

Technological innovation in freezing also played a key role. The adoption of Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) technology grew by 11%, enhancing product quality and reducing crystallization in shellfish and crustaceans. Companies deploying IQF noted an 18% improvement in consumer taste satisfaction ratings.

Five Recent Developments

High Liner Foods: launched a new IQF processing facility in Nova Scotia with a capacity of 165,000 metric tons per year in Q1 2024.
AquaChile: introduced an eco-certified frozen salmon product line in the European market, with 320,000 units sold in six months.
Clearwater Seafood: entered a strategic partnership with a South Korean retailer to export 90,000 metric tons of frozen clams by Q4 2024.
Beaver Street Fisheries: expanded its cold chain fleet with 130 new refrigerated trucks to cover Midwest U.S. markets.
Leroy Seafood: launched a blockchain-enabled traceability app for its frozen fish range, registering over 180,000 users by end of 2023.

Report Coverage of Frozen Seafood Market

The comprehensive coverage of the frozen seafood market includes a granular analysis of product types, distribution channels, regional performances, competitive landscape, investment trends, and innovation pipelines. The report encompasses over 90 data tables covering 2023–2024 metrics, including detailed tracking of volume consumption, metric tonnage production, and SKU growth across major regions.

The market scope includes core frozen seafood segments—shrimp, crustaceans, mollusks, and shellfish—each examined based on international trade flows, retail trends, and price movements. Application segments are explored in-depth, particularly the rise of online distribution and the role of foodservice sectors. More than 30 KPIs track retailer stocking patterns, consumer purchasing frequency, and SKU-level developments.

Geographical coverage spans North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. Each region's report section highlights production volumes, trade dependencies, infrastructure capabilities, and consumer demand indicators. Over 65 country-level data breakdowns are included, with specific attention to top producers and importers.

The competitive analysis evaluates 20+ frozen seafood players, assessing their processing capacities, cold chain networks, and product innovation footprints. Company performance indicators include distribution volume, export destinations, and strategic partnerships. The top players—High Liner Foods and AquaChile—are covered in-depth with volume, expansion, and technological investments.