Frozen sole trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in frozen sole was worth $94.6 million in 2024, about 20.0 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 3% since 2017, and up 1% 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 | $94.6M | 20.0K t |
| 2023 | $93.3M | 14.2K t |
| 2022 | $96.8M | 19.4K t |
| 2021 | $71.1M | 12.2K t |
| 2020 | $75.4M | 14.8K t |
| 2019 | $92.9M | 21.2K t |
| 2018 | $95.2M | 22.8K t |
| 2017 | $91.7M | 28.5K t |
Top frozen sole exporting countries
The Netherlands is the largest exporter with 36% of world exports, followed by the United States and Senegal. The top three supply 58% between them, out of 61 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $34.5M | 37% |
| United States | $11.1M | 12% |
| Senegal | $9.4M | 10% |
| India | $7.5M | 8% |
| Pakistan | $7.4M | 7.8% |
| China | $4.1M | 4.3% |
| Myanmar | $3.8M | 4% |
| Denmark | $3.1M | 3.3% |
| Spain | $2.8M | 3% |
| Mauritania | $1.9M | 2% |
| Canada | $1.3M | 1.4% |
| France | $1.2M | 1.3% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
China is the biggest buyer with 23% of world imports, ahead of the United States and Spain. Demand is concentrated: the top three take 50% across 110 importing countries.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $21.5M | 23% |
| United States | $15.2M | 16% |
| Spain | $11.0M | 12% |
| Italy | $7.8M | 8.2% |
| South Korea | $7.1M | 7.5% |
| Germany | $4.5M | 4.8% |
| Netherlands | $3.8M | 4% |
| Thailand | $3.7M | 3.9% |
| Namibia | $3.5M | 3.7% |
| France | $3.1M | 3.3% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $2.3M | 2.4% |
| Portugal | $1.2M | 1.2% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $4.74 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the Netherlands averaged $18.77 per kg and Myanmar $1.41 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.
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 0303.33: Fish: frozen, sole (Solea spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. HS 0303 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most frozen sole?
The Netherlands exported $34.5 million in 2024, 36% of the world total, followed by the United States (12%) and Senegal (10%). In all, 61 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most frozen sole?
China imported $21.5 million in 2024, 23% of world imports, ahead of the United States (16%) and Spain (12%). The top three importers together take 50%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in frozen sole?
It was worth $94.6 million in 2024, about 20.0 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 3% since 2017. The peak year was 2022 at $96.8 million. 61 countries reported exports and 110 reported imports.
What is the average price of frozen sole per kg?
The world average declared value was about $4.74 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the Netherlands averaged $18.77 per kg and Myanmar $1.41 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 sole?
The HS code for frozen sole is subheading 0303.33, 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 sole 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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