Prepared eels imports in the United States: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of prepared eels by the United States reached $98.1 million in 2024 (5.7 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 2nd largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 120 countries. That is 7% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $142.7 million.
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 | $98.1M | 5.7K t |
| 2023 | $91.7M | 5.5K t |
| 2022 | $81.2M | 4.4K t |
| 2021 | $142.7M | 7.0K t |
| 2020 | $54.5M | 2.8K t |
| 2019 | $74.5M | 5.0K t |
| 2018 | $94.9M | 6.4K t |
| 2017 | $60.7M | 4.9K t |
Where the United States imports prepared eels from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 98% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $96.4M | 98% |
| Japan | $773K | 0.8% |
| Taiwan | $385K | 0.4% |
| South Korea | $273K | 0.3% |
| Vietnam | $182K | 0.2% |
| Spain | $43K | 0% |
| Armenia | $22K | 0% |
| Philippines | $20K | 0% |
| Portugal | $3K | 0% |
| Peru | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $17.19 per kg, close to the world average of $16.41.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Prepared eels exports from the United States
In 2024, the United States exported prepared eels worth $615 thousand (84 tonnes). That makes it the 9th largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 53 countries. The largest buyer markets were Hong Kong (47%), Mexico (23%), Brazil (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Mexico grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | $288K | 47% |
| Mexico | $140K | 23% |
| Brazil | $74K | 12% |
| Singapore | $62K | 10% |
| Canada | $26K | 4.3% |
| Ecuador | $15K | 2.4% |
| Barbados | $7K | 1.2% |
| Vietnam | $3K | 0.4% |
| Bahamas | $1K | 0.1% |
| South Korea | $0K | 0% |
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 1604.17: Fish preparations: eels, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced).
Common questions
What is the value of prepared eels imported by the United States?
The United States imported prepared eels worth $98.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 2nd of 120 countries worldwide, with 13% of world imports. The value was up 7% on 2023.
Which countries supply prepared eels to the United States?
China was the largest supplier with 98% of the value ($96.4 million), followed by Japan (1%) and Taiwan (0%). The top three together account for 99%, out of 10 supplier countries in total. Portugal grew fastest among the top ten, up 78% on the year.
What is the average import price of prepared eels per kg?
The average declared import value was about $17.19 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $16.41 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 prepared eels to the United States changed since 2017?
Imports went from $60.7 million in 2017 to $98.1 million in 2024, an increase of 62%. The peak was 2021 at $142.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does the United States also export prepared eels?
Yes. The United States exported $615 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Hong Kong, Mexico and Brazil. On balance the United States is a net importer of this product, by about $97.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for prepared eels?
The HS code for prepared eels is subheading 1604.17. It sits in HS chapter 16 (meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, or insects; preparations thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1604 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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