Frozen sea urchins trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in frozen sea urchins was worth $74.5 million in 2024, about 1.7 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 3% since 2017, and down 30% 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 | $74.5M | 1.7K t |
| 2023 | $106.1M | 1.9K t |
| 2022 | $140.1M | 2.4K t |
| 2021 | $86.6M | 1.7K t |
| 2020 | $102.2M | 2.4K t |
| 2019 | $96.7M | 2.3K t |
| 2018 | $73.6M | 3.2K t |
| 2017 | $72.4M | 2.0K t |
Top frozen sea urchins exporting countries
Chile is the largest exporter with 76% of world exports, followed by Peru and China. The top three supply 86% between them, out of 38 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Chile | $56.4M | 76% |
| Peru | $4.9M | 6.6% |
| China | $3.0M | 4.1% |
| Turkey | $2.0M | 2.7% |
| Spain | $1.7M | 2.3% |
| Canada | $1.6M | 2.2% |
| Japan | $1.2M | 1.7% |
| Iceland | $684K | 0.9% |
| Croatia | $561K | 0.8% |
| Netherlands | $519K | 0.7% |
| Portugal | $375K | 0.5% |
| France | $268K | 0.4% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
Japan is the biggest buyer with 71% of world imports, ahead of South Korea and Italy. Demand is concentrated: the top three take 87% across 59 importing countries.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | $53.0M | 71% |
| South Korea | $7.2M | 9.7% |
| Italy | $4.5M | 6% |
| Taiwan | $2.0M | 2.7% |
| Thailand | $1.9M | 2.5% |
| Spain | $1.5M | 2% |
| Hong Kong | $836K | 1.1% |
| United States | $674K | 0.9% |
| Germany | $473K | 0.6% |
| Singapore | $467K | 0.6% |
| Australia | $363K | 0.5% |
| France | $231K | 0.3% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $43.70 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Iceland averaged $88.84 per kg and Canada $36.79 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.
Related product types
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
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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 0308.22: Aquatic invertebrates: sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus), frozen. HS 0308 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most frozen sea urchins?
Chile exported $56.4 million in 2024, 76% of the world total, followed by Peru (7%) and China (4%). In all, 38 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most frozen sea urchins?
Japan imported $53.0 million in 2024, 71% of world imports, ahead of South Korea (10%) and Italy (6%). The top three importers together take 87%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in frozen sea urchins?
It was worth $74.5 million in 2024, about 1.7 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 3% since 2017. The peak year was 2022 at $140.1 million. 38 countries reported exports and 59 reported imports.
What is the average price of frozen sea urchins per kg?
The world average declared value was about $43.70 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Iceland averaged $88.84 per kg and Canada $36.79 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 sea urchins?
The HS code for frozen sea urchins is subheading 0308.22, 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 0308 page.
How can I find frozen sea urchins 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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