Surimi Products Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Frozen Surimi,Chilled/Fresh Surimi), By Application (Households,Hotels, Restaurants and Catering (HoReCa),Others), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Surimi Products Market overview

The Surimi Products Market size was valued at USD 5712.43 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 7561.18 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2025 to 2033.

The surimi products market is growing as processed seafood consumption expands globally. Surimi, a fish-based paste typically derived from Alaskan Pollock, Pacific Whiting, or Threadfin Bream, is used to manufacture imitation seafood items such as crab sticks and fish balls. As of 2024, over 900,000 metric tons of surimi are processed globally each year, with Asia-Pacific accounting for over 75% of total consumption.

Japan and South Korea remain dominant consumers of high-grade surimi, while growing demand in China, Vietnam, and Indonesia is reshaping the supply chain dynamics. Surimi is used in over 12,000 commercial products across various application formats, including ready-to-eat (RTE) seafood, chilled snacks, and frozen meals. In Japan alone, surimi-based foods make up approximately 8% of total seafood product sales in supermarkets.

Europe’s adoption of surimi products is also increasing, with France and Spain leading in per capita consumption of over 0.5 kg per person annually. In North America, imitation crab meat dominates the segment, with over 62% share in foodservice applications. The market is influenced by fishing quotas, raw material availability, and freezing technologies, which have allowed a shelf life of up to 24 months for frozen surimi.

Key Findings

DRIVER: Rising demand for processed and convenience seafood across urban populations.

COUNTRY/REGION: Japan remains the highest per capita consumer, while China leads in production with over 350,000 metric tons annually.

SEGMENT: Frozen surimi products dominate the market, contributing more than 65% of the total volume.

Surimi Products Market Trends

The surimi products market is witnessing rapid evolution driven by consumer trends, health consciousness, and food innovation. In 2023, over 70% of newly launched surimi products focused on convenience formats such as microwavable trays, vacuum-sealed packs, and individually frozen portions. Health-focused product positioning has gained traction, with more than 40% of surimi product launches including “low-fat” or “high-protein” labels. Retailers in Japan and France have increased their surimi product offerings by over 15% between 2022 and 2024, largely due to rising consumer interest in functional seafood alternatives. Innovation is also reshaping product formulation, with companies introducing surimi items blended with plant-based ingredients such as pea starch or konjac to meet flexitarian demand. In Vietnam and Thailand, surimi producers are experimenting with spice-infused and herb-marinated products for niche domestic and export markets. The market has also seen diversification in raw material sourcing. For instance, India’s surimi production has grown by 17% between 2021 and 2024, primarily from threadfin bream, while Alaskan Pollock still dominates North American output. Frozen surimi continues to dominate due to its stability and extended shelf life, with more than 600,000 metric tons shipped globally in 2023. Chilled surimi products are rapidly gaining market share in Europe, especially in Germany and Scandinavia, where demand for refrigerated seafood snacks has increased by over 22% from 2022 to 2024. Digitization in logistics and blockchain-based cold chain tracking are also being integrated to reduce spoilage and improve traceability.

Surimi Products Market Dynamics

The dynamics of the surimi products market encompass various factors that influence its growth, development, and challenges across the supply chain. These include the driving forces of consumer demand, raw material availability, technological advancements, and global trade movements. With over 900,000 metric tons of surimi consumed annually, the market is shaped by trends in convenience food consumption, dietary shifts toward protein-rich diets, and expanding retail seafood offerings.

DRIVER

Rising demand for processed seafood and convenience meals

Urbanization and busier lifestyles have led to a sharp rise in the demand for ready-to-eat seafood options. Surimi products offer ease of preparation, consistent quality, and affordability, which contribute to their growing popularity. In China, over 70% of surimi-based products are purchased for home cooking convenience. U.S. consumption of imitation crab meat increased by 9% from 2022 to 2024 in the foodservice segment. The versatility of surimi across cuisines—including sushi, soups, and salads—has made it a staple in restaurant menus and catering services.

RESTRAINT

Limited availability of high-quality raw materials

The availability of high-grade fish suitable for surimi production is declining due to overfishing and stricter marine policies. For example, global Alaskan Pollock quotas have been reduced by 13% in the past two years, directly affecting supply. This shortfall has led to price fluctuations and disrupted procurement strategies for manufacturers in Japan and Russia. Quality degradation during transportation also results in wastage of up to 4% of surimi raw material shipments annually, impacting cost-efficiency.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion of surimi-based snacking products in retail

The increasing demand for high-protein, low-calorie snacks presents a lucrative opportunity. Surimi snack packs, fish sausage sticks, and seafood bars are gaining shelf space in supermarkets across Europe and North America. In France, over 120 new surimi snack SKUs were introduced between 2022 and 2024. Retail seafood snack sales in the U.S. grew by 11% in 2023 alone. Functional and fortified surimi snacks enriched with omega-3 or calcium are also expanding the consumer base, especially among children and the elderly.

CHALLENGE

Rising production and logistics costs

Rising global fuel costs, cold storage maintenance, and inflationary pressures are significantly increasing the cost of surimi production and distribution. In 2023, global shipping container rates for refrigerated goods rose by more than 18%, impacting exports from Southeast Asia to Europe. Energy costs for surimi freezing plants in India and Vietnam have increased by over 20% since 2022, putting pressure on margins. Additionally, complex international compliance standards such as HACCP, ISO 22000, and MSC certifications are becoming mandatory, raising the cost of entry for new players.

Surimi Products Market Segmentation

Surimi products are segmented based on type and application. By type, the market is categorized into Frozen Surimi and Chilled/Fresh Surimi. By application, the market is segmented into Households, HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, and Catering), and Others such as convenience stores or institutional food services.

By Type

• Frozen Surimi: Frozen surimi leads the market with more than 65% share in terms of volume. In 2023, over 620,000 metric tons of frozen surimi were produced globally, with major output from China, India, and the United States. The extended shelf life of up to 24 months and high export suitability makes frozen surimi the preferred format for international trade. Japan imports over 90,000 metric tons of frozen surimi annually, largely from the U.S. and Southeast Asia. Innovations in cryogenic freezing have also improved protein retention and minimized texture degradation.
• Chilled/Fresh Surimi: Chilled or fresh surimi is gaining traction in regional markets with robust cold chain systems, particularly in Western Europe and East Asia. In 2023, France alone consumed more than 25,000 metric tons of chilled surimi-based products. These products are popular in salads, sushi rolls, and gourmet snacks. Despite their shorter shelf life of 15 to 30 days, chilled surimi products offer superior taste and are marketed as premium seafood alternatives, with Germany witnessing a 19% rise in fresh surimi sales from 2022 to 2024.

By Application

• Households: The household segment is a significant consumer of surimi products, especially in Asia-Pacific markets such as China, Japan, and South Korea. In China alone, household purchases accounted for over 180,000 metric tons of surimi-based goods in 2023.
• Hotels, Restaurants, and Catering (HoReCa): The HoReCa sector is one of the fastest-growing channels for surimi product consumption. In 2023, over 400,000 metric tons of surimi were used in restaurant and catering menus globally. In the United States, more than 65% of imitation crab meat is distributed through foodservice, particularly in sushi bars, seafood buffets, and salad bars.
• Others (Convenience Stores, Institutional, Airline & Cruise Food Services): The “Others” segment includes convenience stores, institutional cafeterias, airline catering, and cruise ship kitchens. In 2023, this category consumed approximately 70,000 metric tons of surimi-based products globally.

Regional Outlook for the Surimi Products Market

The regional outlook of the surimi products market is shaped by geographical variations in seafood consumption habits, production capabilities, raw material availability, and cold chain infrastructure. Asia-Pacific dominates the market with over 75% of global surimi production and consumption, driven by high demand in countries such as China, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. China alone accounts for more than 350,000 metric tons of surimi production annually, while Japan maintains the highest per capita consumption.

• North America

North America is a significant market with over 110,000 metric tons of surimi consumed annually. The United States leads in surimi-based imitation crab consumption, accounting for 62% of the foodservice segment. Alaskan Pollock remains the primary raw material, contributing to over 80% of U.S. surimi output. Canada imports surimi from Thailand and China and is expanding its chilled seafood sections in retail, which grew by 14% in 2023.

• Europe

Europe has witnessed rising demand for clean-label and ready-to-eat seafood. France, Spain, and Germany are the top three surimi-consuming nations. France alone accounted for over 30,000 metric tons of chilled surimi sales in 2023. Retail shelf space dedicated to surimi has increased by 18% in German supermarkets since 2022. European processors are also increasingly using alternative fish species like Blue Whiting due to sustainability concerns.

• Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific dominates the global market with over 75% of total consumption and more than 65% of production. China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia are the major players. China produced over 350,000 metric tons of surimi in 2023, mainly for domestic consumption and export to Japan and South Korea. India’s surimi exports exceeded 80,000 metric tons in 2023. Japanese consumer preferences for high-grade surimi drive demand for refined texture and taste.

• Middle East & Africa

Surimi adoption in the Middle East is rising, especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where demand for convenience seafood is growing. Imports of surimi-based products into the region increased by 23% between 2022 and 2024. African markets like Egypt and South Africa are also showing increased usage in institutional catering and fast-food chains, although infrastructure challenges limit domestic production.

List of Top Surimi Products Companies

• Viciunai Group
• Trans-Ocean Products
• Seaprimexco Vietnam
• Thong Siek Global
• Gadre Marine
• Ocean More Foods Co., Ltd.
• APITOON
• Luck Union Foods
• Sugiyo
• Aquamar
• Fujimitsu
• Seapack
• Ocean Food Company
• Shining Ocean
• Haixin
• Anjoyfood
• Huifafood
• Haibawang
• Longsheng

Viciunai Group: Based in Lithuania, Viciunai processes over 120,000 metric tons of surimi-based products annually and exports to over 70 countries, making it one of the largest surimi players globally.

Trans-Ocean Products: A U.S.-based company that leads in the North American imitation crab segment, distributing to more than 35,000 retail outlets and foodservice chains annually.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Between 2022 and 2024, capital investment in surimi processing facilities rose by 14% globally. India allocated over USD 65 million for upgrading surimi production units in Kerala and Gujarat to meet rising export demand. Thailand’s seafood industry received over USD 40 million in private equity investments for automated surimi processing and packaging machinery. Vietnam opened 9 new surimi production units in 2023 with an annual capacity of 100,000 metric tons. Technological investments include flash-freezing systems, high-pressure processing (HPP), and blockchain-enabled traceability platforms. Indonesia implemented AI-powered quality sorting systems across 7 of its major surimi processing hubs. In the U.S., research institutions are collaborating with seafood companies to enhance flavor profiles through natural fermentation and enzyme applications. Opportunity lies in value-added segments, including surimi snacks and fortified products. The omega-3 fortified seafood snack market in Europe expanded by 19% in 2023, with surimi as a primary base. With sustainability mandates rising, companies investing in eco-label certifications, green packaging, and fishery improvement programs (FIPs) are gaining traction among retail chains.

New Product Development

In 2023 and 2024, over 320 new surimi-based products were launched globally. Gadre Marine, for example, introduced surimi “tikka sticks” in India, infused with Indian spices and packaged in microwave-ready boxes. In Japan, Sugiyo unveiled a premium surimi sushi set featuring organic seaweed wraps and omega-3 fortification. These products gained shelf space in over 900 retail stores within three months of launch. In the U.S., Trans-Ocean Products released a keto-friendly surimi snack line with less than 1g carbs per serving. Viciunai Group launched a plant-blended surimi product using lentil protein in Germany in 2024. These hybrid products target flexitarian consumers looking for healthier alternatives without fully abandoning seafood. Packaging innovations include resealable stand-up pouches, nitrogen-sealed trays, and biodegradable wraps, with over 40% of new launches adopting sustainable packaging. Additionally, surimi items for air fryers and steam-cooking formats are being rolled out in Asia-Pacific markets, reflecting consumer appliance trends.

Five Recent Developments

• Viciunai Group expanded its Lithuanian plant, increasing annual production capacity by 25,000 metric tons in Q1 2024.
• Trans-Ocean Products introduced keto and gluten-free surimi snacks in over 4,000 U.S. retail stores in mid-2023.
• India’s Anjoyfood set up a new automated surimi line in Gujarat with a daily capacity of 180 tons in late 2023.
• Ocean More Foods launched surimi hotpot balls in Hong Kong supermarkets, reporting 15% monthly sales growth by Q4 2023.
• Seaprimexco Vietnam secured ISO 22000 certification for its new export-focused surimi plant, increasing exports by 17% in 2024.

Report Coverage of Surimi Products Market

This report offers comprehensive coverage of the surimi products market, spanning production volumes, regional demand, technological advancements, and strategic movements by key players. The analysis covers over 20 countries and evaluates trends in both traditional and emerging markets. The report segments data across frozen and chilled surimi categories, analyzing consumer behavior in household and foodservice segments. It tracks pricing fluctuations, fish species availability, government regulations, and international trade flows impacting the surimi ecosystem. Quantitative analysis includes product shipment data, metric ton comparisons, capacity expansions, and import/export trends. Supply chain mapping and cost component evaluations help identify investment and operational efficiency benchmarks. The report also incorporates insights into product innovation pipelines, retailer shelf expansion, and health/nutrition labeling. It evaluates sustainability initiatives, carbon footprint reductions, and eco-label certifications pursued by major players. Coverage also includes distribution channel performance, including direct-to-consumer (DTC), retail chains, and HoReCa networks. Finally, the report forecasts near-term opportunities in emerging economies, assesses competitive landscape through share analysis, and provides actionable intelligence for processors, investors, and distributors within the global surimi products market.

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