Fish meal exports from the United States: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of fish meal by the United States reached $190.1 million in 2024 (118.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 3%. That is 19% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $190.1M | 118.0K t |
| 2023 | $235.2M | 136.5K t |
| 2022 | $176.8M | 108.0K t |
| 2021 | $216.5M | 138.1K t |
| 2020 | $201.3M | 155.5K t |
| 2019 | $215.6M | 196.7K t |
| 2018 | $221.2M | 176.4K t |
| 2017 | $194.5M | 186.2K t |
Where the United States exports fish meal to
China alone took 55% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $105.3M | 55% |
| Canada | $30.5M | 16% |
| Japan | $24.1M | 13% |
| Taiwan | $7.1M | 3.7% |
| South Korea | $5.9M | 3.1% |
| Thailand | $2.9M | 1.5% |
| Denmark | $2.6M | 1.4% |
| United Kingdom | $2.4M | 1.3% |
| Mexico | $2.2M | 1.2% |
| Vietnam | $1.9M | 1% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.61 per kg, close to the world average of $1.55.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Fish meal imports to the United States
The United States imported $133.8 million of fish meal in 2024 (69.4 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 8th largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 142 countries. Most of the value came from Chile (49%), Mexico (17%), Norway (14%). Among the main suppliers, Denmark grew fastest (+65% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Chile | $66.0M | 49% |
| Mexico | $22.3M | 17% |
| Norway | $18.7M | 14% |
| Brazil | $9.3M | 7% |
| Denmark | $4.4M | 3.3% |
| Poland | $2.9M | 2.2% |
| France | $2.9M | 2.1% |
| Ecuador | $2.6M | 1.9% |
| Argentina | $1.9M | 1.4% |
| Latvia | $608K | 0.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States fish meal exports (HS 2301.20): 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 2301.20: Flours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates.
Common questions
What is the value of fish meal exported by the United States?
The United States exported fish meal worth $190.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 118.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 12th of 114 countries worldwide, with 3% of world exports. The value was down 19% on 2023.
Which countries buy fish meal from the United States?
China was the largest buyer with 55% of the value ($105.3 million), followed by Canada (16%) and Japan (13%). The top three together account for 84%, out of 32 buyer countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 385% on the year.
What is the average export price of fish meal per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.61 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $1.55 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of fish meal from the United States changed since 2017?
Exports went from $194.5 million in 2017 to $190.1 million in 2024, a fall of 2%. The peak was 2023 at $235.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $206.4 million a year.
Does the United States also import fish meal?
Yes. The United States imported $133.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Chile, Mexico and Norway. On balance the United States is a net exporter of this product, by about $56.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for fish meal?
The HS code for fish meal is subheading 2301.20. It sits in HS chapter 23 (food industries, residues and wastes thereof; prepared animal fodder). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2301 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for the United States reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
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