Global Processed Seafood Exports in 2023
Processed seafood includes products such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and caviar, among others. It refers to seafood that has been processed or preserved, but excludes fishmeal.
In contrast, primary seafood products include live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or smoked crustaceans, mollusks, and other aquatic invertebrates.
In 2023, the global ranking of processed seafood export values is as follows:
China (27.3% of global share) – $8.9 billion
Thailand (10.5%) – $3.4 billion
Vietnam (7.2%) – $2.3 billion
Spain (4.6%) – $1.5 billion
Ecuador (4.2%) – $1.37 billion
Indonesia (4.2%) – $1.36 billion
Netherlands (3.2%) – $1 billion
Germany (2.7%) – $880 million
Morocco (2.6%) – $850 million
Poland (2.6%) – $850 million
Historical Ranking
Overall, the global ranking of processed seafood-exporting countries has remained stable over time. From 2011 to the present, China, Thailand, and Vietnam have consistently been the top three exporters, maintaining a global market share of 45-48% over the past decade.
As the world's largest exporter of processed seafood, China’s share has grown from 1/5 of global exports two decades ago to nearly 30% today.
Thailand, the second-largest exporter, has seen its share drop from 1/5 to 1/10 over the past 20 years.
Vietnam, on the other hand, has rapidly ascended from holding less than 2% of the global share 20 years ago to 7% in 2023.
Related Reading:
"Vietnam's Plan for Sustainable Fisheries Transformation by 2050"
"Vietnam’s National Fisheries Resource Development Plan Approved for 2030"
Spain ranks first in Europe, Ecuador leads in South America, Morocco is the top exporter in Africa, and Canada holds the lead in North America.
Top Three Processed Seafood Products
The top three processed seafood products by export value are as follows:
Processed Tuna (commonly canned tuna), which accounts for 25% of all processed seafood exports. Major exporters include Thailand (25%), Ecuador (15%), China, and Spain (both 10%).
Packaged Shrimp (shrimp soaked in oil, brine, or other liquids), making up 10% of processed seafood exports. Key exporters are China (33%), India (15%), and Thailand (12%).
Packaged Squid and Cuttlefish (cooked, salted, or pickled), comprising 7% of processed seafood exports. The leading exporters are China (75%), Peru (10%), and Spain (5%).
Comparison with Primary Seafood Exports
The global export value of primary seafood is approximately $137.1 billion annually, which constitutes around 0.6% of total global goods exports.
In contrast, the export value of processed seafood is significantly smaller, standing at $32.7 billion in 2023.
Over the past decade, there has been no significant trend showing processed seafood exports increasing relative to primary seafood. The trade value of primary seafood is about four times greater than that of processed seafood, a ratio that has remained stable over the past ten years. This suggests that "prepared seafood" has not yet emerged as a major segment in global seafood trade.
The trade values of primary and processed seafood products show a strong correlation. In years of seafood shortages, both primary and processed seafood exports tend to decrease simultaneously, while in years of abundance, the trend is often similar.
