Frozen fish trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in frozen fish was worth $26.91 billion in 2024, about 13.04 million tonnes. That is an increase of 11% since 2017, and down 3% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $26.91B | 13.04M t |
| 2023 | $27.83B | 12.67M t |
| 2022 | $29.69B | 13.01M t |
| 2021 | $26.42B | 12.91M t |
| 2020 | $24.29B | 13.03M t |
| 2019 | $26.36B | 13.34M t |
| 2018 | $26.36B | 12.91M t |
| 2017 | $24.31B | 11.85M t |
Top frozen fish exporting countries
Russia is the largest exporter with 9% of world exports, followed by China and Chile. The top three supply 24% between them, out of 178 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | $2.43B | 9% |
| China | $2.09B | 7.8% |
| Chile | $1.98B | 7.4% |
| Norway | $1.85B | 6.9% |
| United States | $1.76B | 6.5% |
| Taiwan | $1.01B | 3.8% |
| Spain | $898.5M | 3.3% |
| Denmark | $852.8M | 3.2% |
| South Korea | $815.0M | 3% |
| Netherlands | $750.9M | 2.8% |
| Indonesia | $657.8M | 2.4% |
| India | $610.3M | 2.3% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are China (18%), Japan (9%) and Thailand (8%). 220 countries imported it, and the top three take 35% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $4.96B | 18% |
| Japan | $2.43B | 9% |
| Thailand | $2.08B | 7.7% |
| South Korea | $1.21B | 4.5% |
| United States | $1.07B | 4% |
| Vietnam | $993.0M | 3.7% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $909.8M | 3.4% |
| Spain | $772.5M | 2.9% |
| Nigeria | $673.9M | 2.5% |
| Russia | $655.0M | 2.4% |
| Poland | $555.8M | 2.1% |
| Denmark | $523.5M | 2% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $2.06 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Denmark averaged $4.39 per kg and Russia $1.64 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Product types under HS 0303
- Frozen sockeye salmon
- Frozen Pacific salmon (other)
- Frozen Atlantic salmon
- Frozen trout
- Frozen salmonidae (other)
- Frozen tilapia
- Frozen catfish
- Frozen carp
- Frozen halibut
- Frozen sole
- Frozen flat fish (other)
- Frozen albacore tuna
- Frozen yellowfin tuna
- Frozen skipjack tuna
- Frozen bigeye tuna
- Frozen southern bluefin
- Frozen tuna (other)
- Frozen herring
- Frozen sardines and sprats
- Frozen mackerel
- Frozen jack mackerel
- Frozen swordfish
- Frozen fish (other)
- Frozen cod
- Frozen haddock
- Frozen coalfish
- Frozen hake
- Frozen Alaska pollack
- Frozen blue whiting
- Frozen whitefish (other)
- Frozen shark
- Frozen rays and skates
- Frozen toothfish
- Frozen seabass
- Frozen fish (other)
- Frozen fish livers and roe
- Frozen shark fins
- Frozen fish offal
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 0303: Fish; frozen, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304. HS 0303 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most frozen fish?
Russia exported $2.43 billion in 2024, 9% of the world total, followed by China (8%) and Chile (7%). In all, 178 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most frozen fish?
China imported $4.96 billion in 2024, 18% of world imports, ahead of Japan (9%) and Thailand (8%). The top three importers together take 35%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in frozen fish?
It was worth $26.91 billion in 2024, about 13.04 million tonnes. That is an increase of 11% since 2017. The peak year was 2022 at $29.69 billion. 178 countries reported exports and 220 reported imports.
What is the average price of frozen fish per kg?
The world average declared value was about $2.06 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Denmark averaged $4.39 per kg and Russia $1.64 per kg, so grade and origin matter. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so treat it as a benchmark, not a quote.
What is the HS code for frozen fish?
The HS code for frozen fish is heading 0303, in chapter 03 (fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates). Customs uses this code worldwide at the six-digit level; national tariffs add more digits. The full list of codes is on the HS 0303 page.
How can I find frozen fish buyers and suppliers?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX shows the importers and exporters behind this trade from shipment-level customs records, updated weekly, with direct customs feeds and mirror data. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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