Frozen catfish imports in the United States: data, top suppliers and prices
The United States imported $14.7 million of frozen catfish in 2024 (5.3 thousand tonnes). It ranks 3rd of 131 countries for imports of this product. Value rose 15% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 33% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $14.7M | 5.3K t |
| 2023 | $12.8M | 4.2K t |
| 2022 | $12.1M | 6.3K t |
| 2021 | $6.4M | 2.1K t |
| 2020 | $6.5M | 2.1K t |
| 2019 | $2.4M | 953 t |
| 2018 | $1.0M | 443 t |
| 2017 | $2.0M | 690 t |
Where the United States imports frozen catfish from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 57% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $8.4M | 57% |
| Vietnam | $5.9M | 40% |
| Thailand | $407K | 2.8% |
| Latvia | $2K | 0% |
| Germany | $1K | 0% |
| Guyana | $1K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.76 per kg, 62% above the world average of $1.70. 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 catfish exports from the United States
The United States exported $1.4 million of frozen catfish in 2024 (410 tonnes). That makes it the 10th largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 79 countries. The largest buyer markets were Mexico (36%), Nicaragua (14%), Ecuador (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Saint Kitts and Nevis grew fastest (+577% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $510K | 36% |
| Nicaragua | $190K | 14% |
| Ecuador | $140K | 10% |
| Panama | $140K | 10% |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | $80K | 5.7% |
| Turks and Caicos Isds | $68K | 4.9% |
| Colombia | $60K | 4.3% |
| Saudi Arabia | $48K | 3.4% |
| Barbados | $38K | 2.7% |
| Saint Maarten | $27K | 1.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
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.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
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 0303.24: Fish: frozen, catfish (Pangasius spp., Silurus spp., Clarias spp., Ictalurus spp.), 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 catfish imported by the United States?
The United States imported frozen catfish worth $14.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 3rd of 131 countries worldwide, with 6% of world imports. The value was up 15% on 2023.
Which countries supply frozen catfish to the United States?
China was the largest supplier with 57% of the value ($8.4 million), followed by Vietnam (40%) and Thailand (3%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 6 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 23% on the year.
What is the average import price of frozen catfish per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.76 per kg in 2024, 62% above the world average of $1.70 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of frozen catfish to the United States changed since 2017?
Imports went from $2.0 million in 2017 to $14.7 million in 2024, an increase of 640%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does the United States also export frozen catfish?
Yes. The United States exported $1.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mexico, Nicaragua and Ecuador. On balance the United States is a net importer of this product, by about $13.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for frozen catfish?
The HS code for frozen catfish is subheading 0303.24. 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?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United States with shipment-level records, updated weekly, so you can see importers and exporters by name with dates, quantities and declared values. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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