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Europe Seafood Market Size

The Europe Seafood Market is projected to experience modest growth over the forecast period, with fish being the predominant seafood consumed, particularly tuna, cod, salmon, and Alaska pollock. The market's expansion is influenced by the increasing popularity of Asian cuisine and the high demand for frozen and canned seafood products, especially in Southern Europe. France holds a significant portion of the market share due to its strong consumer preference for seafood, while the Netherlands is anticipated to be the fastest-growing country, driven by health-conscious choices. Despite substantial domestic production in countries like Norway and Russia, Europe remains a net importer of seafood, with shrimp and canned fish products showing considerable potential for growth.

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Market Size of europe seafood Industry

Europe Seafood Market Summary
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svg icon Study Period 2017 - 2029
svg icon Market Size (2024) USD 68.64 Billion
svg icon Market Size (2029) USD 71.20 Billion
svg icon Largest Share by Type Fish
svg icon CAGR (2024 - 2029) 0.74 %
svg icon Largest Share by Country France

Major Players
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*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Key Players

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Europe Seafood Market Analysis

The Europe Seafood Market size is estimated at 68.64 billion USD in 2024, and is expected to reach 71.20 billion USD by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 0.74% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

68.64 Billion

Market Size in 2024 (USD)

71.20 Billion

Market Size in 2029 (USD)

1.96 %

CAGR (2017-2023)

0.74 %

CAGR (2024-2029)

Largest Segment by Type

72.87 %

value share, Fish, 2023

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The household expenditure on European fish products grew by around 20% in 2021. The demand for preserved and processed fish products is also projected to increase in the future.

Largest Segment by Country

14.06 %

value share, France, 2023

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Seafood companies and suppliers in the country are constantly improving their product offerings in the seafood segment to cater to high-income consumers in urban areas.

Fastest-growing Segment by Type

0.95 %

Projected CAGR, Shrimp, 2024-2029

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The consumption and supply of Pacific white shrimp are expanding across Europe, setting regional trends with distributors selling products derived from the variety.

Fastest-growing Segment by Country

1.16 %

Projected CAGR, Netherlands, 2024-2029

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The rise in demand for other seafood products like pollock in raw and processed forms drives the sales of seafood. Seafood processors may find it challenging due to the war.

Leading Market Player

3.55 %

market share, Austevoll Seafood ASA, 2022

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The company has all parts of the value chain, including farming, fishing, processing, and distribution, offering various fish types and other processed seafood products.

The expansion of aquaculture farms and processing facilities is propelling domestic seafood production in the region

  • The majority of seafood consumed in the region is fish, and some of the most popularly consumed species are tuna, cod, salmon, and Alaska pollock. Tuna is the most consumed seafood species in Europe, which is further increasing with the rise of Asian cuisine restaurants in the region. In 2021, tuna consumption in the European Union reached 3.07 kg per capita, from 2.78 kg per capita in 2018. Fish is primarily consumed in the frozen form in Europe, making up more than 45% of total consumption in 2022. The European canned seafood processing sector is mostly concentrated in Southern Europe, where Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal are the key players. Europe still imports canned fish from non-European nations to meet the domestic demand due to its high consumption.
  • Shrimps are projected to register the highest growth, with the sales value recording a growth of 3.13% during 2017-2022. Although quite small, organic shrimp consumption is predicted to increase as consumers become more socially and ecologically conscious. The European Union estimates that 62% of that shrimp comes from the wild and 38% from aquaculture, of which approximately 85% to 90% consists of Pacific white shrimp and about 10% black tiger shrimp.
  • France was observed to dominate the market, occupying a share of 14.03% by value in 2022. The increasing demand for seafood in France is mainly due to consumers' taste preferences - 50% of people consumed seafood once or twice a week in 2021. Around 97% of the French population consumes seafood, and 32% said that they intend to consume more seafood products. Among seafood, fish occupied a market share of around 70%, followed by shrimp and other seafood like crabs and oysters.
Europe Seafood Market

Growing health consciousness is primarily driving the seafood market across Europe

  • Even though a few countries, such as Norway and Russia, produce significant quantities of seafood, Europe is a net importer of seafood. Value-added shrimp and canned fish products have the greatest potential in European markets. With large appetites for seafood, countries in southern Europe are the major consumers of seafood products in the region. France accounted for the major market share of seafood in Europe in 2022. Seafood sales in France increased by 11.89%, by value, from 2017 to 2022. The country's fish consumption is high owing to increasing consumer inclination in line with growing health consciousness. The growth in the seafood industry in France is anticipated to influence the European seafood market during the forecast period.
  • The Netherlands is expected to be the fastest-growing country, registering a CAGR of 1.17% during the forecast period (2023-2029), owing to the fact that Dutch consumers are increasingly considering fish as a healthy, fresh, and natural alternative to red meat and poultry products. Moreover, processors are also developing and introducing innovative frozen and fresh meals and meal components containing fish. Due to its location in the North Sea, the Netherlands has a long tradition of catching and farming fish.
  • Spain, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and Belgium were the top importers in the past few years. Shrimp is the most imported species in the region. Shrimp sales in the region are experiencing significant growth compared to other seafood types and are expected to register a CAGR of 0.96% by value during the forecast period (2023-2029). Shrimp enters the market raw or cooked and has a wide range of forms, such as head-on shell-on (HOSO), headless shell-on (HLSO), and peeled.

Europe Seafood Industry Segmentation

Fish, Shrimp are covered as segments by Type. Canned, Fresh / Chilled, Frozen, Processed are covered as segments by Form. Off-Trade, On-Trade are covered as segments by Distribution Channel. France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom are covered as segments by Country.

  • The majority of seafood consumed in the region is fish, and some of the most popularly consumed species are tuna, cod, salmon, and Alaska pollock. Tuna is the most consumed seafood species in Europe, which is further increasing with the rise of Asian cuisine restaurants in the region. In 2021, tuna consumption in the European Union reached 3.07 kg per capita, from 2.78 kg per capita in 2018. Fish is primarily consumed in the frozen form in Europe, making up more than 45% of total consumption in 2022. The European canned seafood processing sector is mostly concentrated in Southern Europe, where Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal are the key players. Europe still imports canned fish from non-European nations to meet the domestic demand due to its high consumption.
  • Shrimps are projected to register the highest growth, with the sales value recording a growth of 3.13% during 2017-2022. Although quite small, organic shrimp consumption is predicted to increase as consumers become more socially and ecologically conscious. The European Union estimates that 62% of that shrimp comes from the wild and 38% from aquaculture, of which approximately 85% to 90% consists of Pacific white shrimp and about 10% black tiger shrimp.
  • France was observed to dominate the market, occupying a share of 14.03% by value in 2022. The increasing demand for seafood in France is mainly due to consumers' taste preferences - 50% of people consumed seafood once or twice a week in 2021. Around 97% of the French population consumes seafood, and 32% said that they intend to consume more seafood products. Among seafood, fish occupied a market share of around 70%, followed by shrimp and other seafood like crabs and oysters.
Type
Fish
Shrimp
Other Seafood
Form
Canned
Fresh / Chilled
Frozen
Processed
Distribution Channel
Off-Trade
Convenience Stores
Online Channel
Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
Others
On-Trade
Country
France
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
Rest of Europe
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Europe Seafood Market Size Summary

The European seafood market is characterized by a diverse range of products, with fish being the most consumed category. Tuna, cod, salmon, and Alaska pollock are among the most popular species, with tuna consumption rising due to the proliferation of Asian cuisine restaurants. The market is heavily reliant on frozen fish, which constitutes a significant portion of total consumption. Southern Europe, particularly countries like Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal, plays a crucial role in the canned seafood processing sector. Despite substantial domestic production, Europe remains a net importer of seafood, with shrimp being the most imported species. The region's seafood industry is influenced by consumer preferences, health consciousness, and the growing demand for sustainable and organic products.

France stands out as a dominant player in the European seafood market, with a high consumption rate and a growing inclination towards seafood products. The Netherlands is expected to experience rapid growth, driven by the perception of fish as a healthy alternative to red meat. The EU's aquaculture sector is diverse, with a focus on sustainable practices, and is a significant contributor to global production. However, geopolitical tensions, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, have impacted fish supply chains, highlighting the region's dependency on imports. The market is fragmented, with major companies like Austevoll Seafood ASA and Mowi ASA holding a modest share. Initiatives to promote local seafood consumption are gaining traction, aiming to reduce reliance on imports and stabilize market prices.

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Europe Seafood Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET SEGMENTATION (includes market size in Value in USD, Forecasts up to 2029 and analysis of growth prospects)

    1. 1.1 Type

      1. 1.1.1 Fish

      2. 1.1.2 Shrimp

      3. 1.1.3 Other Seafood

    2. 1.2 Form

      1. 1.2.1 Canned

      2. 1.2.2 Fresh / Chilled

      3. 1.2.3 Frozen

      4. 1.2.4 Processed

    3. 1.3 Distribution Channel

      1. 1.3.1 Off-Trade

        1. 1.3.1.1 Convenience Stores

        2. 1.3.1.2 Online Channel

        3. 1.3.1.3 Supermarkets and Hypermarkets

        4. 1.3.1.4 Others

      2. 1.3.2 On-Trade

    4. 1.4 Country

      1. 1.4.1 France

      2. 1.4.2 Germany

      3. 1.4.3 Italy

      4. 1.4.4 Netherlands

      5. 1.4.5 Russia

      6. 1.4.6 Spain

      7. 1.4.7 United Kingdom

      8. 1.4.8 Rest of Europe

Europe Seafood Market Size FAQs

The Europe Seafood Market size is expected to reach USD 68.64 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 0.74% to reach USD 71.20 billion by 2029.

In 2024, the Europe Seafood Market size is expected to reach USD 68.64 billion.

Europe Seafood Market Report Snapshots

Europe Seafood Market SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS & FORECASTS UP TO 2029