GITNUXREPORT 2025

Seafood Industry Statistics

Global seafood market worth $159 billion, driven by aquaculture and exports.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global aquaculture industry contributes about 52% of all fish consumed by humans

Statistic 2

Fish and seafood consumption per capita in developed countries averages around 22 kg per year

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The average annual growth rate of global seafood consumption is projected at 3% through 2030

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The average seafood consumption in Japan is about 69 kg per person per year, one of the highest in the world

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The top five species consumed worldwide are different types of tuna, salmon, shrimp, cod, and pangasius

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Wild-caught fish generally contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids compared to farmed fish, offering nutritional benefits

Statistic 7

Global fish consumption per capita has increased by approximately 30% over the last 50 years, reflecting changing dietary patterns

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The growth of plant-based seafood alternatives has increased by over 300% in the last five years, catering to vegan and vegetarian consumers

Statistic 9

Overfishing has led to the depletion of approximately 34.2% of fish stocks globally

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By 2025, it is estimated that illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities will account for approximately 15% of the global fish catch

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Microplastics have been found in over 90% of fish tested in some studies, raising concerns about seafood safety

Statistic 12

The average size of fish caught has decreased by roughly 25% over the past 30 years due to overfishing

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Only about 10% of global fish stocks are considered over-exploited or collapsed, according to FAO data

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Seafood sustainability certification (e.g., MSC, ASC) has increased by over 250% since 2010, indicating growing consumer awareness

Statistic 15

Globally, only around 2.5% of wild fish stocks are certified as sustainable

Statistic 16

The estimated number of illegal and unreported fishing vessels worldwide exceeds 13,000

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Sustainable fishing practices could potentially increase fish stock recovery rates by up to 20% in overexploited stocks

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Marine protected areas cover about 7.5% of the world’s oceans, with a goal to reach 30% by 2030 for conservation purposes

Statistic 19

Approximately 60% of global fish stocks are fully exploited, with no room for further increase in catches without risking depletion

Statistic 20

Global fish catch has remained relatively stable over the past decade at around 90-95 million tonnes annually, despite increasing effort

Statistic 21

The largest individual fish catch in history was over 2,664 pounds (1,208 kg) of giant grouper, caught in Malaysia in 2019

Statistic 22

Less than 1% of the world's oceans are protected under strict conservation laws, highlighting the need for expansion

Statistic 23

The average age of fishermen globally is increasing, with many retiring and declining workforce numbers, leading to concerns over industry sustainability

Statistic 24

The global seafood industry has seen a rise in eco-labeled products, with eco-certified sales increasing by over 150% since 2015, indicating consumer preference shifts

Statistic 25

Halibut and cod stocks are among the most overfished species globally, according to recent assessments, necessitating stricter quotas

Statistic 26

The introduction of aquaculture has reduced pressure on wild fish stocks by providing an alternative supply source, decreasing wild catch by about 15% since the 1990s

Statistic 27

The number of fishing vessels equipped with GPS and other electronic monitoring systems has increased by 75% since 2018, improving regulation and fisheries management

Statistic 28

Globally, the seafood industry is projected to face a shortfall of approximately 9 million tonnes by 2030 if current trends continue, indicating the urgency for sustainable practices

Statistic 29

The use of artificial intelligence in seafood harvesting and processing is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 20% through 2027, enhancing efficiency and sustainability

Statistic 30

The global seafood market is valued at approximately $159 billion as of 2023

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Over 90 million people worldwide are employed in the seafood industry

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The United States is the second-largest seafood importer, with imports valued at over $20 billion annually

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The fish farming sector has grown at an average rate of 6.7% annually over the last decade

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The global seafood export value exceeds $150 billion annually

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Asia accounts for over 88% of total global seafood exports

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The seafood sector's contribution to global GDP is approximately 0.9%

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Seaweed farming is a rapidly growing segment of aquaculture, with an annual growth rate of 8.4%

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The global demand for seafood is expected to grow to 204 million tons by 2030

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The global market for edible seaweed is valued at approximately $7.4 billion as of 2023

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Nearly 60% of global fish production is used for direct human consumption, with the rest used for processing or as fishmeal and oil

Statistic 41

The EU imports over 4 million tons of seafood annually, valued at around €20 billion

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The global seafood industry supports over 142 million jobs directly and indirectly

Statistic 43

The use of blockchain technology in seafood supply chains is projected to grow by 48% annually through 2026, improving traceability and safety

Statistic 44

The price of wild-caught shrimp has increased by approximately 15% over the past five years due to rising demand

Statistic 45

The global market for frozen seafood is valued at over $16 billion, with North America and Asia-Pacific as leading consumers

Statistic 46

The fishing industry in Africa employs roughly 12 million people, largely in small-scale fisheries

Statistic 47

The global seafood market for value-added products like canned, smoked, and prepared seafood is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% through 2028

Statistic 48

Women constitute approximately 20% of the total workforce in global fisheries and aquaculture industries, indicating gender disparity

Statistic 49

China is the world's largest seafood producer, accounting for nearly 35% of global output

Statistic 50

Approximately 85% of seafood consumed globally is imported

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The top seafood exporting countries are China, Norway, Vietnam, Chile, and Thailand

Statistic 52

Salmon is the most traded fish species globally, especially in Europe and North America

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Asia-Pacific region produces over 90 million tons of seafood annually

Statistic 54

Salmon farming accounts for nearly 70% of global farmed fish biomass

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Approximately 70% of the global fish supply is distributed through small-scale fisheries, which support local communities and economies

Statistic 56

About 30% of seafood sold in supermarkets comes from aquaculture, highlighting its role in global food security

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Key Highlights

The global seafood market is valued at approximately $159 billion as of 2023
Over 90 million people worldwide are employed in the seafood industry
China is the world's largest seafood producer, accounting for nearly 35% of global output
Approximately 85% of seafood consumed globally is imported
The global aquaculture industry contributes about 52% of all fish consumed by humans
The United States is the second-largest seafood importer, with imports valued at over $20 billion annually
The fish farming sector has grown at an average rate of 6.7% annually over the last decade
Fish and seafood consumption per capita in developed countries averages around 22 kg per year
Overfishing has led to the depletion of approximately 34.2% of fish stocks globally
The global seafood export value exceeds $150 billion annually
Asia accounts for over 88% of total global seafood exports
The top seafood exporting countries are China, Norway, Vietnam, Chile, and Thailand
Salmon is the most traded fish species globally, especially in Europe and North America

The global seafood industry, revolutionized by booming aquaculture, mounting sustainability efforts, and complex supply chains, is valued at over $159 billion and poised for significant growth amid pressing challenges like overfishing, pollution, and rising consumer demand.

Consumption and Consumer Trends

The global aquaculture industry contributes about 52% of all fish consumed by humans
Fish and seafood consumption per capita in developed countries averages around 22 kg per year
The average annual growth rate of global seafood consumption is projected at 3% through 2030
The average seafood consumption in Japan is about 69 kg per person per year, one of the highest in the world
The top five species consumed worldwide are different types of tuna, salmon, shrimp, cod, and pangasius
Wild-caught fish generally contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids compared to farmed fish, offering nutritional benefits
Global fish consumption per capita has increased by approximately 30% over the last 50 years, reflecting changing dietary patterns
The growth of plant-based seafood alternatives has increased by over 300% in the last five years, catering to vegan and vegetarian consumers

Consumption and Consumer Trends Interpretation

As seafood demand surges globally, with aquaculture now supplying over half of our fish and plant-based alternatives exploding in popularity, the industry is paddling toward a future where sustainability, nutrition, and innovation are more intertwined than ever.

Environmental and Sustainability Issues

Overfishing has led to the depletion of approximately 34.2% of fish stocks globally
By 2025, it is estimated that illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities will account for approximately 15% of the global fish catch
Microplastics have been found in over 90% of fish tested in some studies, raising concerns about seafood safety
The average size of fish caught has decreased by roughly 25% over the past 30 years due to overfishing
Only about 10% of global fish stocks are considered over-exploited or collapsed, according to FAO data
Seafood sustainability certification (e.g., MSC, ASC) has increased by over 250% since 2010, indicating growing consumer awareness
Globally, only around 2.5% of wild fish stocks are certified as sustainable
The estimated number of illegal and unreported fishing vessels worldwide exceeds 13,000
Sustainable fishing practices could potentially increase fish stock recovery rates by up to 20% in overexploited stocks
Marine protected areas cover about 7.5% of the world’s oceans, with a goal to reach 30% by 2030 for conservation purposes
Approximately 60% of global fish stocks are fully exploited, with no room for further increase in catches without risking depletion
Global fish catch has remained relatively stable over the past decade at around 90-95 million tonnes annually, despite increasing effort
The largest individual fish catch in history was over 2,664 pounds (1,208 kg) of giant grouper, caught in Malaysia in 2019
Less than 1% of the world's oceans are protected under strict conservation laws, highlighting the need for expansion
The average age of fishermen globally is increasing, with many retiring and declining workforce numbers, leading to concerns over industry sustainability
The global seafood industry has seen a rise in eco-labeled products, with eco-certified sales increasing by over 150% since 2015, indicating consumer preference shifts
Halibut and cod stocks are among the most overfished species globally, according to recent assessments, necessitating stricter quotas
The introduction of aquaculture has reduced pressure on wild fish stocks by providing an alternative supply source, decreasing wild catch by about 15% since the 1990s
The number of fishing vessels equipped with GPS and other electronic monitoring systems has increased by 75% since 2018, improving regulation and fisheries management
Globally, the seafood industry is projected to face a shortfall of approximately 9 million tonnes by 2030 if current trends continue, indicating the urgency for sustainable practices
The use of artificial intelligence in seafood harvesting and processing is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 20% through 2027, enhancing efficiency and sustainability

Environmental and Sustainability Issues Interpretation

Despite a 34.2% decline in global fish stocks and only 2.5% certified as sustainable, the industry's buzzwords—overfishing, illegal catches, microplastics, and rapidly expanding eco-labels—remind us that ecological caution still trails behind consumer demand and technological advances trying to keep the catch afloat.

Market Size and Economic Value

The global seafood market is valued at approximately $159 billion as of 2023
Over 90 million people worldwide are employed in the seafood industry
The United States is the second-largest seafood importer, with imports valued at over $20 billion annually
The fish farming sector has grown at an average rate of 6.7% annually over the last decade
The global seafood export value exceeds $150 billion annually
Asia accounts for over 88% of total global seafood exports
The seafood sector's contribution to global GDP is approximately 0.9%
Seaweed farming is a rapidly growing segment of aquaculture, with an annual growth rate of 8.4%
The global demand for seafood is expected to grow to 204 million tons by 2030
The global market for edible seaweed is valued at approximately $7.4 billion as of 2023
Nearly 60% of global fish production is used for direct human consumption, with the rest used for processing or as fishmeal and oil
The EU imports over 4 million tons of seafood annually, valued at around €20 billion
The global seafood industry supports over 142 million jobs directly and indirectly
The use of blockchain technology in seafood supply chains is projected to grow by 48% annually through 2026, improving traceability and safety
The price of wild-caught shrimp has increased by approximately 15% over the past five years due to rising demand
The global market for frozen seafood is valued at over $16 billion, with North America and Asia-Pacific as leading consumers
The fishing industry in Africa employs roughly 12 million people, largely in small-scale fisheries
The global seafood market for value-added products like canned, smoked, and prepared seafood is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% through 2028
Women constitute approximately 20% of the total workforce in global fisheries and aquaculture industries, indicating gender disparity

Market Size and Economic Value Interpretation

With a global seafood market valued at $159 billion supporting over 142 million jobs—anchored predominantly in Asia and driven by rising aquaculture and innovative supply chain technologies—it's clear that the industry is navigating the tide of growing demand and sustainability challenges, all while quietly highlighting the gender gap beneath its oceanic surface.

Production and Trade

China is the world's largest seafood producer, accounting for nearly 35% of global output
Approximately 85% of seafood consumed globally is imported
The top seafood exporting countries are China, Norway, Vietnam, Chile, and Thailand
Salmon is the most traded fish species globally, especially in Europe and North America
Asia-Pacific region produces over 90 million tons of seafood annually
Salmon farming accounts for nearly 70% of global farmed fish biomass
Approximately 70% of the global fish supply is distributed through small-scale fisheries, which support local communities and economies
About 30% of seafood sold in supermarkets comes from aquaculture, highlighting its role in global food security

Production and Trade Interpretation

Despite producing nearly 35% of the world's seafood, China’s dominance underscores that global reliance on imports and aquaculture—producing 30% of seafood—reflects a complex web of local livelihoods, international trade, and the need for sustainable management in an industry worth billions.