Seafood Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth, and Regional Forecast, 2025 to 2032

Seafood Market Share and Trends Analysis

The global seafood market size is likely to be valued at US$456.58 million in 2025 and is projected to reach US$667.27 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2032.

The global seafood market is experiencing steady growth, driven by rising consumer demand for protein-rich and healthy diets. Factors such as increasing awareness of omega-3 benefits, urbanization, and expanding retail and e-commerce channels are boosting consumption.

Key segments include fish, shellfish, and processed seafood, with aquaculture emerging as a critical supply source amid wild catch limitations.

Key Industry Highlights:

• Leading Product: By product, the fish is projected to hold a share of 52.1% in 2025 as it is widely consumed across cultures due to its taste, versatility, and ease of cooking compared to shellfish or mollusks.
• Leading End-use: By end use, household/retail is expected to account for a share of 53.4% in 2025. Consumers are increasingly cooking at home, driven by health consciousness, cost-effectiveness, and convenience, which boosts retail seafood demand.
• Leading Region: East Asia seafood market is estimated to hold a share of 43.5% in 2025. Rapid urban growth and rising incomes are increasing demand for seafood in everyday diets and restaurants.

Key Insights	Details
Seafood Market Size (2025E)	US$456.58 Mn
Market Value Forecast (2032F)	US$667.27 Mn
Projected Growth (CAGR 2025 to 2032)	5.6%
Historical Market Growth (CAGR 2019 to 2024)	4.5%

Market Dynamics

Driver - Surging Demand for Nutritious and Sustainable Seafood is Fueling Global Market Expansion

Rising global health consciousness has significantly boosted consumer interest in seafood as a high-protein, low-fat, and nutrient-dense food source. Across developed and emerging markets, people are prioritizing diets that are not only healthy but also environmentally responsible. Seafood fits well into this shift, providing essential omega-3 fatty acids, lean proteins, and micronutrients, while having a lower environmental footprint than red meat and poultry production.

This consumer shift has amplified the demand for responsibly sourced and traceable seafood products. Leading seafood suppliers are now investing in cleaner production methods, advanced packaging technologies, and eco-labelling systems to assure quality, freshness, and sustainability. Brands offering premium, minimally processed seafood options have experienced strong retail growth, particularly in urban centers where demand for clean-label and ready-to-eat seafood formats is intensifying.

Companies such as Maruha Nichiro and Nissui have strengthened their focus on higher-value segments like processed tuna, salmon, and yellowtail, enhancing appeal to health-oriented consumers. Investments in cell-cultivated tuna and land-based aquaculture are further diversifying the seafood protein landscape with sustainable alternatives. These advancements are allowing companies to not only capture environmentally aware consumers but also reduce their dependence on wild-caught stocks.

Global consumption of live, fresh, chilled, and frozen marine seafood, including marine fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and other marine species was estimated at approximately 112,501 kilotons in 2024. This rising demand is reshaping the industry to meet nutritional needs while aligning with climate-conscious expectations, driving innovation, investment, and regulatory transformation across the seafood value chain.

Restraints - Climate Instability Disrupts Seafood Supply Chains and Threatens Production Continuity

Climate variability continues to present one of the most critical threats to the seafood supply chain. Events such as El Niño have disrupted ocean temperatures, shifting fish migration patterns, and destabilizing breeding cycles. These disruptions are particularly damaging in regions heavily reliant on consistent ocean conditions, such as Latin America and Southeast Asia, where aquaculture and wild-capture fisheries alike suffer when anomalies occur.

The Peruvian aquaculture industry offers a sharp illustration of these climate-induced impacts. The sector experienced a 25.43% decline in production, falling to just over 105,000 metric tons. This contraction coincided with significant export and import declines, primarily due to elevated ocean temperatures and political instability in key coastal areas. Such environmental shocks create ripple effects that undermine not just local ecosystems but also the global seafood supply chain.

Seafood producers increasingly face yield uncertainty, especially for species like salmon and shrimp that are highly sensitive to environmental fluctuations. Companies must adjust harvesting schedules, relocate operations, or invest in temperature-stabilized systems all of which add costs and operational complexity. Without predictability in natural cycles, even the most technologically advanced aquaculture operations remain vulnerable.

The challenge grows more severe when these events occur in regions that serve as global supply anchors. Countries like Chile and Peru are vital sources of fishmeal, shrimp, and high-value finfish. A disruption in these geographies reverberates globally, affecting feed availability, pricing structures, and even consumer access to premium seafood.

Opportunity - Smart Aquaculture is Reshaping Global Seafood Productivity

Advanced aquaculture technologies are redefining how seafood producers scale operations without compromising environmental integrity. Industry players like Cermaq and Grieg Seafood are using innovations such as AI-enabled feeding systems, real-time oxygen monitoring, and precision harvesting to improve stock health and minimize ecological disturbance. These developments are reshaping seafood farming from a volume-driven model to one built on data, control, and sustainability.

By shifting to smart aquaculture, producers can better manage biosecurity, reduce waste, and improve the consistency of output. Cermaq’s use of algal-based Omega-3 feed illustrates how environmental stewardship and fish health can go hand in hand.

As disease outbreaks, climate fluctuations, and overfishing impact traditional models, these high-tech systems ensure resilient production pipelines that meet rising global quality standards. The scalability of this model extends well beyond production efficiency.

Countries with quality-conscious consumers, such as Taiwan and Japan, increasingly value traceability and eco-credentials. Smart aquaculture aligns with their demand for sustainable, high-grade seafood, giving exporters a strategic edge. With such systems in place, companies not only access premium markets but also earn consumer trust, regulatory approval, and greater pricing power.

Category-wise Analysis

By Product Type, Rising Preference for Lean Proteins

Fish dominates the global seafood market due to its widespread consumer acceptance, versatile culinary applications, and rich nutritional profile, including high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential micronutrients. Its availability in both wild-caught and farmed varieties ensures a year-round supply, supporting stable trade and consumption patterns.

Rising health consciousness and dietary shifts toward lean proteins have further propelled fish demand over shellfish and other seafood types. Additionally, technological advancements in cold chain logistics and sustainable aquaculture practices have enhanced product quality, shelf life, and accessibility, reinforcing fish’s position as the preferred and leading product type in the global seafood market.

By End-use, Household/Retail is Dominant

The household/retail segment leads the seafood market’s end-use category as consumers increasingly prefer convenient, ready-to-cook, and packaged seafood for at-home consumption. Rising urbanization, busy lifestyles, and growing health awareness have boosted demand for nutrient-rich fish and shellfish purchased through supermarkets, hypermarkets, and online platforms.

Retail channels provide greater product variety, quality assurance, and accessibility compared to foodservice outlets. Additionally, improved cold storage, packaging innovations, and sustainable sourcing have made seafood more affordable and widely available for household buyers. This strong shift toward home dining and premium seafood experiences at the retail level drives the dominance of the household segment globally.

Region-wise Insights

East Asia Seafood Market Trends

East Asia is anticipated to dominate with a share of 43.2% in 2025 and dominates the global seafood market, driven by its strong cultural affinity for seafood consumption, robust aquaculture industry, and large population base.

Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea have deeply ingrained seafood traditions, making fish and shellfish a dietary staple. China, in particular, leads aquaculture production, supplying both domestic and international markets with affordable and diverse species.

Rising disposable incomes and urbanization have increased demand for premium and value-added seafood products, while technological advancements in farming and cold chain infrastructure ensure a consistent supply. Export-oriented growth, combined with evolving consumer preferences, cements East Asia’s leadership in the seafood market.

Europe Seafood Market Trends

Europe’s seafood market trends are shaped by sustainability concerns, evolving dietary preferences, and strong regulatory frameworks. Consumers in countries such as Spain, France, and Italy maintain high per-capita seafood consumption, with demand shifting toward responsibly sourced, organic, and traceable products.

The region’s emphasis on environmental stewardship has accelerated the adoption of eco-labels like MSC certification and increased interest in plant-based seafood alternatives. Aquaculture, particularly salmon farming in Norway and Scotland, plays a pivotal role in meeting supply needs. Additionally, the growing popularity of frozen, ready-to-eat, and premium seafood aligns with busy urban lifestyles, positioning Europe as a mature yet innovation-driven seafood market.

Competitive Landscape

The global seafood market’s competitive landscape is highly dynamic, marked by a mix of multinational corporations, regional players, and emerging aquaculture firms. Leading companies focus on sustainable sourcing, advanced processing technologies, and strong distribution networks to maintain market share.

Mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances are common as firms seek to expand global reach and diversify product portfolios. Innovation in frozen, canned, and value-added seafood products caters to evolving consumer preferences.

Key Industry Developments:

• In July 2025, Maruha Nichiro opened a cultivated seafood restaurant in central Tokyo in collaboration with Lumine Inc., as part of its rebranding to Umios in March 2026. The restaurant will highlight cultivated bluefin tuna, aligning with the company’s vision to promote a sustainable “Planetary Health Diet” and redefine seafood consumption through food-tech innovation. This initiative positions Maruha Nichiro as a leader in alternative protein seafood experiences within urban retail environments.
• In January 2025, Mowi ASA acquired a controlling 95% stake in Nova Sea AS, a prominent salmon farming company in Northern Norway. The €625 million deal enhances Mowi’s dominance in one of the world’s top aquaculture regions, with the combined operations targeting a 157,000-tonne salmon harvest in the region for 2025. The transaction is expected to be EPS accretive and generate NOK 400 million in annual synergies, while strengthening efforts in biological performance and fish health. Nova Sea’s full value chain capabilities further bolster Mowi's integrated operations.

Companies Covered in Seafood Market

• Mowi ASA
• Maruha Nichiro
• Nissui (Nippon Suisan)
• Thai Union Group
• Trident Seafoods
• Cooke Inc.
• Lerøy Seafood Group ASA
• Pacific Seafood
• Austevoll Seafood ASA
• Nueva Pescanova
• Others