Market Trends of Canned Meat Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Canned Meat Market according to our research experts:
Increasing Demand for Canned Seafood
The demand for canned fish and seafood has witnessed steady growth, especially in western countries and Europe. Owing to consumer awareness regarding the nutritional benefits of seafood, coupled with the convenience in consumption it provides and the long shelf life it possesses, Although the consumption of canned seafood is considerably lower in the remaining regions, as most of the regional population in Europe prefers to eat fresh seafood when compared to frozen seafood, the demand for canned seafood mainly originates from seafood that is not available locally. Furthermore, changing food habits is a driving force encouraging consumers to shift to consuming convenience foods, such as canned seafood, as they are perceived to be safer and more convenient due to their longer shelf life. The importance of a long shelf life was paramount during this period. Pasteurized crab meat, for example, is one of the most popular canned seafood products in Asia and the Pacific, following canned fish such as tuna. As a result, the consumption of canned seafood has been on the rise. Different regions have been engaging in imports and exports of canned seafood owing to the rise in demand for the same. For example, according to the Department of Fisheries (Thailand), when compared to other canned seafood goods, canned tuna from Thailand had the greatest export value in 2021, topping in at around USD 1.68 billion. Thailand exported about 572 thousand tons of canned seafood goods in that year, which is evidence of the rise in demand for canned seafood across various regions across the globe.
Asia Pacific is the Fastest-Growing Region
Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the global market for canned meat, especially canned fish, seafood, and fruits. Countries like Japan, Korea, and China import canned crab meat in high quantities. China is the region's most important and promising hub for canned seafood consumption.The country also accounts for one of the highest per capita consumptions of seafood. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, in 2021, the average seafood product consumption per person amounted to around 16.7 kilograms in urban China and 10.9 kilograms in rural China. As the demand for processed food includes marinated fish and meat products and ready-to-cook meals, the canned seafood segment is poised to grow across the Chinese market during the forecast period.
According to the Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), around half of the seafood in Japan is processed and consumed salted, dried, smoked as fish paste, or canned. The seafood processing industry has become increasingly important as consumers' preferences for easier-to-use processed products have increased. Also, with the presence of major supermarkets, such as 7-Eleven, E-Mart, Big C, etc., and the increasing internet penetration, the online market for the purchase of canned meat products is therefore surging.
