Fish Market Industry Statistics and Forecasts

This article was written by our expert who is surveying the industry and constantly updating the business plan for a fish market.

Who wrote this content?

The Dojo Business Team

A team of financial experts, consultants, and writers

We're a team of finance experts, consultants, market analysts, and specialized writers dedicated to helping new entrepreneurs launch their businesses. We help you avoid costly mistakes by providing detailed business plans, accurate market studies, and reliable financial forecasts to maximize your chances of success from day one—especially in the fish market sector.

What is the current global market size (value and volume)?

The global fish market in 2025 stands near $1.01 trillion and ~189 million metric tons.

Retailers and wholesalers in fish markets see the strongest absolute demand in Asia–Pacific, where both fresh and processed channels are large. At store level, value grows faster than volume due to premiumization and compliance costs.

By 2034, volume is projected to reach ~212 million tons, with value expanding alongside processed and branded products. These projections favor operators who build dependable cold-chain partnerships and traceable sourcing.

We cover this exact topic in the fish market business plan.

Which countries and regions are largest today, and how have shares shifted since 2020?

Asia–Pacific is the largest market today and has grown its share over the past five years on aquaculture capacity and urban demand.

China leads by output and consumption; India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Norway, Egypt, and Chile jointly add substantial supply depth. Europe and North America remain sizable in value but have slower share gains versus Asia.

For fish market operators, this means reliable sourcing often points to Asia for volume and to Europe/North America for premium categories and certification benchmarks. Plan regional assortments accordingly.

It’s a key part of what we outline in the fish market business plan.

Where are the fastest-growing geographic markets over the next 5–10 years?

MEA, parts of Southeast Asia, and Europe show the fastest percentage growth from 2025 forward.

MEA growth is driven by urbanization and domestic aquaculture build-outs; Southeast Asia benefits from farmed pangasius, tilapia, and shrimp scaling; Europe expands processed and certified segments.

Expect many of these markets to track above 4% CAGR, with local infrastructure and policy support shaping the upper range. Prioritize early supplier MOUs and HACCP-ready logistics to secure volume at stable prices.

This is one of the strategies explained in our fish market business plan.

What are the main product categories and how do their shares compare?

Fresh, frozen, canned, and processed/value-added are the four core categories in fish markets.

Fresh dominates in Asia–Pacific urban centers; frozen leads many Western channels; processed/value-added is the fastest riser where convenience drives spending.

Use a mix that reflects local demand, seasonality, and cold-chain depth: highlight fresh/live where turnover is high and frozen/processed where reliability and margin matter. Calibrate display space and defrost procedures to safety codes.

You’ll find detailed market insights in our fish market business plan, updated every quarter.

How has demand shifted among fresh, frozen, canned, and processed?

Demand has shifted toward frozen and processed/value-added formats since 2020.

Urban consumers buy more ready-to-cook, marinated, and portion-controlled seafood for convenience and waste reduction; canned remains resilient in Europe and North America for pantry stability. Fresh is expanding fastest in Asian cities with daily shopping habits and live-tank preferences.

For a fish market, this means merchandising must balance high-turn fresh counters with profitable frozen displays and an easy-meal processed section. Track shrink and conversion rates by format weekly.

Get expert guidance and actionable steps inside our fish market business plan.

What demographics and behaviors drive consumption globally and regionally?

• Health and protein orientation: fish perceived as lean, omega-3 rich, and heart-friendly.
• Urbanization and time scarcity: convenience and ready-to-cook formats gain traction.
• Rising middle classes in Asia and Africa: higher per-capita intake and willingness to pay for quality.
• Flexitarian and pescatarian diets in affluent markets: premium, certified, and traceable seafood grows.
• Food safety awareness: preference for audited suppliers and visible cold-chain practices in stores.

What are typical retail price ranges and the 5-year trend?

Global average retail prices cluster around clear bands, with notable 5-year inflation.

Fresh fish typically ranges $2–$8/kg, frozen $2.5–$6/kg, canned $2–$4/kg, and value-added (e.g., smoked salmon) $10–$20/kg. Since 2020, prices rose roughly 8–15% on logistics, inputs, and compliance.

Fish market operators should update pricing quarterly, hedge with mixed cuts/species, and negotiate delivery windows to reduce cold-chain premiums. Use dynamic pricing for end-of-day fresh inventory to control shrink.

This is one of the many elements we break down in the fish market business plan.

Which supply-chain challenges matter most and how do they affect costs and availability?

• Cold-chain gaps and container volatility: raises freight and spoilage risk; maintain backup carriers.
• Climate and disease events: sudden supply drops and farm culls; diversify species and origins.
• Trade barriers and tariffs: re-route volumes and alter landed costs; track policy calendars.
• Certification and traceability costs: audits, labeling, and documentation add fixed overhead.
• Labor and hygiene compliance: training and PPE requirements increase operating expenses.

Aquaculture vs. wild-caught: what is the balance now and ahead?

Aquaculture supplies more than half of global fish today and is gaining share.

Farmed output now exceeds 55% and is on path to >60% by 2034, while wild-catch volumes are broadly flat due to stock management and sustainability limits. Asia’s growth is overwhelmingly aquaculture-driven.

For fish market assortments, aquaculture provides steadier sizes, pricing, and year-round availability; wild species remain key for premium and seasonal storytelling. Build signage that explains farm practices and certifications.

We cover this exact topic in the fish market business plan.

Who are the dominant companies and brands, and what share do they hold?

Several multinationals and regional leaders control significant export and processing capacity.

Chinese groups (e.g., Tongwei), Norwegian majors (e.g., Mowi/Marine Harvest; feed supplier BioMar), Thai Union Group, Chile’s AquaChile, and U.S. brand Bumble Bee form a core of global influence. Collectively, leading Chinese firms alone exceed ~22% of global share across key export streams.

For a fish market, these suppliers are useful anchors for consistent availability and branded trust, while local fisheries and farms add freshness and differentiation. Blend global brands with local provenance for a resilient mix.

It’s a key part of what we outline in the fish market business plan.

Which regulations and sustainability issues shape growth?

Compliance around IUU (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated) fishing, labor, and hygiene standards defines market access.

Certification (MSC, ASC), country-of-origin labeling, and lot-level traceability are increasingly required by premium markets in the EU and U.S. Retailers and fish markets must keep auditable supplier files and temperature logs.

These protocols raise operating costs but also protect margin by unlocking higher-value channels and consumer trust. Budget for audits and train staff to maintain documentation during inspections.

This is one of the strategies explained in our fish market business plan.

Fast facts by region (largest markets and share shifts since 2020)

The table below summarizes where demand is concentrated and how it has moved in five years.

Category mix at a fish market (share comparison)

Use this reference to set space and purchasing budgets for your fish market.

Typical price bands by product (retail) and recent trend

Price bands help plan margins and promo calendars for your fish market.

Top supply-side companies and estimated share

The following table highlights prominent players your fish market may encounter in sourcing.

What are the most reliable 10-year forecasts (revenue, volume, growth)?

The industry outlook calls for steady volume growth and gradual value premiumization.

Conclusion

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We accept no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided.

Sources

1. FAO – Global fisheries and aquaculture reach record high
2. FAO GLOBEFISH – World fish market at a glance
3. OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025–2034 – Fish & aquatic products
4. Statista – Fish & Seafood worldwide outlook
5. Mordor Intelligence – Fish Market Report
6. Precedence Research – Fish Processing Market
7. Fortune Business Insights – Seafood Market
8. Krungsri Research – Canned Seafood 2025–2027
9. Technavio – Seafood Market Analysis
10. The Business Research Company – Seafood Global Market Report