Processed Seafood Market- Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Crustaceans, Fish, Molluscs), By Product (Frozen, Smoked and Others), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets, Supermarkets, Food Specialty Stores, Convenient Stores and Others), By Region 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 302.72 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.66%
Fastest Growing Segment	Crustaceans
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 445.71 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Processed Seafood Market will grow from USD 302.72 Billion in 2025 to USD 445.71 Billion by 2031 at a 6.66% CAGR. The global processed seafood market consists of aquatic products preserved through techniques such as freezing, canning, curing, or smoking to ensure longevity and ease of preparation. Growth in this sector is fundamentally driven by rising global protein consumption and an intensified consumer preference for convenience amid rapid urbanization. These core drivers are distinct from fleeting dietary trends and highlight a permanent reliance on shelf-stable marine food solutions that accommodate modern logistics and busy consumer schedules.

However, the industry encounters significant headwinds regarding supply chain sustainability and raw material price volatility. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, in 2025, the global seafood export value was projected to reach USD 193.3 billion, representing a 5 percent increase compared to the prior year. Despite this financial growth, strict regulatory frameworks designed to combat overfishing and ensure traceability present a formidable challenge that may complicate cross-border trade and increase operational expenses for manufacturers.

Key Market Drivers

Rising global demand for convenience and ready-to-cook seafood products constitutes a primary catalyst for market expansion, fueled by rapid urbanization and the shrinking time available for meal preparation. Consumers increasingly prioritize shelf-stable, canned, and frozen seafood formats that offer nutritional value without the complexity of traditional cooking. This shift is evident in the performance of major industry players who are expanding their value-added portfolios to meet this requirement. For instance, according to Thai Union Group, January 2026, the company’s ambient seafood sales rose by 7.1 percent in 2024, driven by robust demand for accessible, preserved marine products in key international markets.

Increasing consumer awareness of the health benefits of seafood-rich diets is simultaneously propelling the industry forward, as populations worldwide recognize aquatic foods as essential sources of high-quality protein and Omega-3 fatty acids. This heightened nutritional consciousness is translating into sustained volume growth for both wild-caught and aquaculture-derived products intended for direct ingestion. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, November 2025, global seafood consumption for direct human food was projected to reach 176 million tonnes in 2025. Reflecting the sector's robust financial health amidst these consumption trends, according to Mowi ASA, March 2025, the company reported a record operational revenue of EUR 5.62 billion in 2024, underscoring the substantial scale of the modern seafood industry.

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Key Market Challenges

Strict regulatory frameworks established to combat overfishing and mandate traceability impose a substantial constraint on the global processed seafood market. These government-enforced limitations directly restrict the availability of raw materials, creating a bottleneck that prevents manufacturers from scaling production to meet rising consumer demand. By capping the allowable harvest volume of key commercial species, these regulations force processing facilities to operate below capacity and grapple with unpredictable supply chains. Consequently, the scarcity of compliant raw material drives up procurement costs, eroding profit margins and limiting the industry's ability to maintain consistent output levels or expand into new volume-driven markets.

The tangible impact of these sustainability measures is evident in the recent contraction of harvesting limits for high-demand species. According to the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA), in 2025, the total allowable catch for Northeast Arctic cod was reduced by 25 percent compared to the previous year’s allocation. This significant reduction in accessible biomass compels processors to compete for a shrinking pool of resources, thereby increasing operational volatility and directly impeding the market’s financial and volumetric growth.

Key Market Trends

Processing facilities are increasingly integrating robotic systems to mitigate persistent labor shortages and maximize raw material yield, effectively addressing the operational bottlenecks caused by workforce volatility. This technological shift allows manufacturers to automate delicate tasks such as filleting and deboning with precision, ensuring consistent product quality while reducing reliance on manual labor in high-cost regions. By deploying these advanced systems, companies can maintain throughput levels even when faced with the strict harvest limitations mentioned in regulatory frameworks. According to Mowi ASA, March 2025, in the 'Integrated Annual Report 2024', the company planned to increase its capital expenditure to EUR 310 million in 2025, explicitly targeting automation upgrades at its consumer product plants to enhance operational efficiency.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing a distinct shift towards the premiumization of shelf-stable tinned seafood, elevating it from a low-cost staple to a gourmet culinary ingredient. Brands are aggressively introducing artisanal products packed in high-quality oils and employing distinctive packaging to appeal to affluent demographics seeking gastronomic experiences. This value-over-volume strategy effectively counters volatility in raw material costs by securing significantly higher price points per unit, differentiating modern tinned fish from traditional mass-market options. According to Thai Union Group, January 2026, in the 'Annual Review', the company achieved a record gross profit margin of 18.5 percent in 2024, primarily supported by the organic expansion of its value-added and ambient seafood categories.

Segmental Insights

The Crustaceans segment constitutes the fastest growing category within the Global Processed Seafood Market driven by rising consumer preference for convenience and high protein options. This growth is largely attributed to the availability of pre-processed formats like peeled shrimp and deshelled crab which minimize preparation efforts for end users. Furthermore, compliance with rigorous safety frameworks established by entities such as the Food and Drug Administration ensures product quality and bolsters consumer confidence. These factors, alongside improved preservation capabilities, facilitate the widespread consumption of processed crustaceans and sustain the rapid expansion of this market segment.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global processed seafood market, primarily due to high consumer demand for convenience-oriented products such as frozen and canned seafood. The region benefits from established distribution networks and reliable cold chain infrastructure that support widespread product availability. Additionally, rigorous quality control measures enforced by the United States Food and Drug Administration ensure safety and build consumer trust. This focus on regulatory compliance, combined with a shifting preference for healthy, ready-to-cook protein options, creates a stable environment for sustained market leadership.

Recent Developments

• In April 2025, a prominent European frozen food company expanded its strategic collaboration with a cell-cultivated seafood producer to accelerate the commercialization of alternative seafood products. The partnership focused on formulating a market-entry strategy for the United Kingdom, following the partner's acceptance into a government regulatory sandbox program. This collaboration aimed to introduce cell-cultured bluefin tuna and other premium seafood alternatives to satisfy increasing consumer demand for sustainable protein. The move underscored the company's commitment to scaling emerging food technologies and safeguarding the long-term availability of seafood resources.
• In March 2025, a leading global aquaculture company showcased a range of new value-added salmon products at the Seafood Expo North America in Boston. The unveiled offerings included a salmon burger and various frozen, skin-packed retail items developed to appeal to consumers seeking convenient and high-quality seafood options. This product expansion aligned with the company's strategy to de-commoditize salmon and build stronger brand recognition within the North American market. The company emphasized that these innovations were designed to address common barriers to seafood consumption, such as preparation time, and to drive volume growth in the retail sector.
• In August 2024, a major Japanese seafood corporation announced a research partnership aimed at developing mass production technology for farmed Japanese eels. By collaborating with a scientific research firm, the company sought to establish a fully farmed supply chain that operates independently of wild glass eels, which are a finite natural resource. This initiative was part of a broader strategy to strengthen aquaculture capabilities and secure sustainable food systems. The project focused on refining closed-cycle breeding techniques to protect marine ecosystems while meeting the consistent domestic demand for this traditional seafood delicacy.
• In June 2024, the owner of the John West brand launched a new packaging solution named ECOTWIST in the United Kingdom market. This innovation was designed to minimize waste by eliminating excess packaging materials, thereby saving substantial amounts of steel and ingredients annually. The company described the development as a significant advancement in the ambient tuna category, intended to enhance convenience for consumers while supporting sustainability objectives. The new format featured a redesigned, lighter can that allowed the same quantity of tuna to be packed in a smaller size, optimizing both supply chain logistics and retail display efficiency.

Key Market Players

• Thai Union Group PCL
• Maruha Nichiro Corporation
• Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd.
• High Liner Foods Incorporated
• Nomad Foods Limited –
• Tri Marine International, Inc.
• Bumble Bee Foods, LLC
• Royal Greenland A/S
• Stolt Sea Farm ASA
• Salmar ASA

By Type	By Product	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Crustaceans Fish Molluscs	Frozen Smoked and Others	Hypermarkets Supermarkets Food Specialty Stores Convenient Stores and Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Processed Seafood Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Processed Seafood Market, By Type:

• Crustaceans
• Fish
• Molluscs

• Processed Seafood Market, By Product:

• Frozen
• Smoked and Others

• Processed Seafood Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Hypermarkets
• Supermarkets
• Food Specialty Stores
• Convenient Stores and Others

• Processed Seafood Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE