Frozen Freshwater Fish Market

The global market for frozen freshwater fish is experiencing steady growth, with consumption, production, imports, and exports all on the rise. Key findings include an anticipated CAGR of +1.9% in market volume and +4.2% in market value from 2022 to 2030, with China, Russia, and the United States leading in consumption and production. Overall, the market is set to expand in the coming years, driven by increasing demand worldwide.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for frozen freshwater fish worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 4.2M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $11.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Frozen Freshwater Fish

In 2022, the amount of frozen freshwater fish consumed worldwide expanded slightly to 3.6M tons, growing by 2.5% against the year before. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The global frozen freshwater fish market size rose slightly to $8B in 2022, with an increase of 3.1% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $8B in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (571K tons), Russia (302K tons) and the United States (199K tons), with a combined 30% share of global consumption. Cote d'Ivoire, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Mauritania, Cameroon, Germany, Malaysia and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mauritania (with a CAGR of +38.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($1.2B), the United States ($693M) and Russia ($469M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 29% share of the global market. Japan, India, South Korea, Cote d'Ivoire, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Germany, Mauritania and Cameroon lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

Among the main consuming countries, Mauritania, with a CAGR of +36.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of frozen freshwater fish per capita consumption was registered in Mauritania (14 kg per person), followed by Cote d'Ivoire (5.9 kg per person), South Korea (2.2 kg per person) and Russia (2.1 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of frozen freshwater fish was estimated at 0.5 kg per person.

In Mauritania, frozen freshwater fish per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +35.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Cote d'Ivoire (+16.2% per year) and South Korea (-4.3% per year).

Production

World Production of Frozen Freshwater Fish

In 2022, global frozen freshwater fish production fell to 3.5M tons, approximately reflecting the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 17%. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 3.8M tons. From 2017 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish production contracted modestly to $7.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 7.7%. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak level at $8.8B in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (313K tons), India (302K tons) and Russia (286K tons), together comprising 26% of global production. Indonesia, the United States, Vietnam, Myanmar, Argentina, Pakistan, Brazil, Mauritania, Senegal and Japan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Japan (with a CAGR of +51.9%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Frozen Freshwater Fish

In 2022, approx. 2.1M tons of frozen freshwater fish were imported worldwide; picking up by 4.5% on the year before. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 2.3M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish imports rose notably to $4.5B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, China (519K tons) was the key importer of frozen freshwater fish, achieving 25% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Cote d'Ivoire (165K tons), South Korea (157K tons) and the United States (120K tons), together achieving a 21% share of total imports. The following importers - Japan (84K tons), Malaysia (62K tons), Cameroon (58K tons), Thailand (57K tons), Senegal (40K tons), Vietnam (36K tons) and Spain (33K tons) - together made up 18% of total imports.

Imports into China increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Senegal (+184.0%), Cote d'Ivoire (+19.4%), Cameroon (+9.2%), Malaysia (+6.6%), Vietnam (+5.6%), the United States (+2.3%) and Spain (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Senegal emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +184.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, South Korea (-4.1%), Japan (-6.4%) and Thailand (-15.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+11 p.p.), Cote d'Ivoire (+6.5 p.p.), Senegal (+1.9 p.p.) and Cameroon (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Japan, South Korea and Thailand saw its share reduced by -4.1%, -4.4% and -12.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($1.1B) constitutes the largest market for imported frozen freshwater fish worldwide, comprising 24% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($423M), with a 9.3% share of global imports. It was followed by South Korea, with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China amounted to +8.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+3.9% per year) and South Korea (-3.3% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average frozen freshwater fish import price stood at $2,169 per ton in 2022, increasing by 5% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 6.5%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $2,199 per ton; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($3,698 per ton), while Senegal ($985 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+4.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Frozen Freshwater Fish

In 2022, shipments abroad of frozen freshwater fish decreased by -1.3% to 1.9M tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 12%. The global exports peaked at 2.4M tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish exports rose markedly to $4.8B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 13%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum at $4.9B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (261K tons), followed by India (162K tons), Vietnam (159K tons), Myanmar (129K tons), the United States (111K tons), Senegal (104K tons) and Indonesia (94K tons) represented the largest exporters of frozen freshwater fish, together committing 52% of total exports. Oman (52K tons), Morocco (50K tons), Argentina (49K tons), Uruguay (46K tons), Malaysia (43K tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (41K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Senegal (with a CAGR of +156.3%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($1.1B) remains the largest frozen freshwater fish supplier worldwide, comprising 22% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($394M), with an 8.2% share of global exports. It was followed by Vietnam, with a 7.2% share.

In China, frozen freshwater fish exports declined by an average annual rate of -2.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-2.0% per year) and Vietnam (+11.6% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average frozen freshwater fish export price stood at $2,457 per ton in 2022, picking up by 7.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($4,081 per ton), while Senegal ($1,064 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+10.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform