Prepared sardines imports in the United States: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of prepared sardines by the United States reached $208.7 million in 2024 (42.3 thousand tonnes). That makes it the largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 214 countries. That is 18% more 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 .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $208.7M | 42.3K t |
| 2023 | $177.1M | 34.6K t |
| 2022 | $202.6M | 41.5K t |
| 2021 | $159.8M | 36.2K t |
| 2020 | $178.2M | 42.3K t |
| 2019 | $125.8M | 30.0K t |
| 2018 | $134.2M | 32.4K t |
| 2017 | $135.1M | 34.9K t |
Where the United States imports prepared sardines from
The largest suppliers were Morocco (36%), Poland (21%), Thailand (8%). Among the main suppliers, Spain grew fastest (+74% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Morocco | $75.6M | 36% |
| Poland | $43.1M | 21% |
| Thailand | $16.7M | 8% |
| Canada | $14.5M | 7% |
| Vietnam | $13.7M | 6.6% |
| Ecuador | $11.2M | 5.4% |
| Latvia | $7.3M | 3.5% |
| China | $5.6M | 2.7% |
| Spain | $5.4M | 2.6% |
| Philippines | $5.3M | 2.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.93 per kg, 53% above the world average of $3.22. 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.
Prepared sardines exports from the United States
In 2024, the United States exported prepared sardines worth $1.5 million (432 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Barbados (14%), Mexico (14%), Japan (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 40%. Among the main buyer markets, Guyana grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Barbados | $213K | 14% |
| Mexico | $211K | 14% |
| Japan | $180K | 12% |
| Guyana | $163K | 11% |
| Bermuda | $105K | 6.9% |
| Bahamas | $84K | 5.5% |
| Canada | $81K | 5.3% |
| Dominican Republic | $63K | 4.1% |
| Israel | $56K | 3.7% |
| Panama | $49K | 3.2% |
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 1604.13: Fish preparations: sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced).
Common questions
What is the value of prepared sardines imported by the United States?
The United States imported prepared sardines worth $208.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 42.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 1st of 214 countries worldwide, with 13% of world imports. The value was up 18% on 2023.
Which countries supply prepared sardines to the United States?
Morocco was the largest supplier with 36% of the value ($75.6 million), followed by Poland (21%) and Thailand (8%). The top three together account for 65%, out of 48 supplier countries in total. Spain grew fastest among the top ten, up 74% on the year.
What is the average import price of prepared sardines per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.93 per kg in 2024, 53% above the world average of $3.22 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 sardines to the United States changed since 2017?
Imports went from $135.1 million in 2017 to $208.7 million in 2024, an increase of 54%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does the United States also export prepared sardines?
Yes. The United States exported $1.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Barbados, Mexico and Japan. On balance the United States is a net importer of this product, by about $207.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for prepared sardines?
The HS code for prepared sardines is subheading 1604.13. 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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