Frozen sardines and sprats exports from the United Kingdom: data, top buyers and prices
The United Kingdom exported $12.2 million of frozen sardines and sprats in 2024 (11.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. Value rose 101% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 16% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12.2M | 11.3K t |
| 2023 | $6.1M | 6.6K t |
| 2022 | $7.4M | 7.6K t |
| 2021 | $6.6M | 6.0K t |
| 2020 | $8.5M | 7.8K t |
| 2019 | $4.6M | 4.3K t |
| 2018 | $5.8M | 5.7K t |
| 2017 | $4.3M | 4.6K t |
Where the United Kingdom exports frozen sardines and sprats to
One buyer market dominates: France accounted for 51% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, France grew fastest (+157% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| France | $6.2M | 51% |
| South Africa | $3.1M | 26% |
| Netherlands | $675K | 5.5% |
| Benin | $537K | 4.4% |
| Spain | $450K | 3.7% |
| Canada | $299K | 2.5% |
| Croatia | $258K | 2.1% |
| Portugal | $232K | 1.9% |
| Thailand | $142K | 1.2% |
| Namibia | $82K | 0.7% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.08 per kg, 33% above the world average of $0.81. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Frozen sardines and sprats imports to the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom imported $3.4 million of frozen sardines and sprats in 2024 (2.3 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were Sweden (30%), Portugal (19%), Latvia (16%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+160% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden | $1.0M | 30% |
| Portugal | $656K | 19% |
| Latvia | $548K | 16% |
| Poland | $502K | 15% |
| India | $217K | 6.3% |
| Bulgaria | $202K | 5.9% |
| Netherlands | $84K | 2.5% |
| Spain | $53K | 1.5% |
| Estonia | $37K | 1.1% |
| Mauritania | $26K | 0.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom frozen sardines and sprats exports (HS 0303.53): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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 0303.53: Fish: frozen, sardines (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp.), sardinella (Sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (Sprattus sprattus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99.
Common questions
What is the value of frozen sardines and sprats exported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom exported frozen sardines and sprats worth $12.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 11.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 13th of 88 countries worldwide, with 2% of world exports. The value was up 101% on 2023.
Which countries buy frozen sardines and sprats from the United Kingdom?
France was the largest buyer with 51% of the value ($6.2 million), followed by South Africa (26%) and the Netherlands (6%). The top three together account for 82%, out of 20 buyer countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 157% on the year.
What is the average export price of frozen sardines and sprats per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.08 per kg in 2024, 33% above the world average of $0.81 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of frozen sardines and sprats from the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Exports went from $4.3 million in 2017 to $12.2 million in 2024, an increase of 181%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $7.0 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also import frozen sardines and sprats?
Yes. The United Kingdom imported $3.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Sweden, Portugal and Latvia. On balance the United Kingdom is a net exporter of this product, by about $8.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for frozen sardines and sprats?
The HS code for frozen sardines and sprats is subheading 0303.53. It sits in HS chapter 03 (fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0303 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for the United Kingdom. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World frozen sardines and sprats trade: top importers and exporters
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