The UK market for frozen, dried, and smoked fish is forecast to grow at a CAGR of +1.4% from 2024 to 2035, reaching 643K tons in volume and $3.9B in value. In 2024, consumption declined slightly to 554K tons and $3.4B. The market is dominated by frozen fish fillets, which constitute 73% of consumption volume. The UK is a net importer, with China, Iceland, and Norway being the top suppliers. Domestic production increased to 443K tons in 2024, while exports saw a 14% rise to 158K tons, primarily consisting of frozen whole fish.<\/p>\n
Key Findings<\/p>\n
Market forecast to grow at a CAGR of +1.4% to 643K tons and $3.9B by 2035Frozen fish fillet is the dominant product, accounting for 73% of consumption volumeThe UK is a net importer, with China, Iceland, and Norway as the leading suppliersFrozen whole fish constitutes 77% of total export volumeAverage import price was $6,785 per ton, while export price was $3,176 per ton in 2024Market Forecast<\/p>\n
Driven by increasing demand for frozen, dried and smoked fish in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 643K tons by the end of 2035.<\/p>\n
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $3.9B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.<\/p>\n
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ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Frozen, Dried And Smoked Fish<\/p>\n
In 2024, consumption of frozen, dried and smoked fish decreased by -0.4% to 554K tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Frozen, dried and smoked fish consumption peaked at 580K tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.<\/p>\n
The size of the market for frozen, dried and smoked fish in the UK contracted to $3.4B in 2024, which is down by -5.3% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a temperate expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -16.1% against 2022 indices. Frozen, dried and smoked fish consumption peaked at $4B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.<\/p>\n
Consumption By Type<\/p>\n
Frozen fish fillet<\/a> (406K tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of consumption, accounting for 73% of total volume. Moreover, frozen fish fillet<\/a> exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, frozen crustaceans<\/a> (57K tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by dried or smoked fish<\/a> (51K tons), with a 9.2% share.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of frozen fish fillet consumption amounted to +4.1%. With regard to the other consumed products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: frozen crustaceans (+3.8% per year) and dried or smoked fish (+1.2% per year).<\/p>\n In value terms, frozen fish fillet ($2.2B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by frozen crustaceans ($527M). It was followed by dried or smoked fish.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of frozen fish fillet market stood at +5.2%. With regard to the other consumed products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: frozen crustaceans (+2.8% per year) and dried or smoked fish (+2.9% per year).<\/p>\n ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Frozen, Dried And Smoked Fish<\/p>\n In 2024, frozen, dried and smoked fish production in the UK expanded to 443K tons, increasing by 2.1% against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 when the production volume increased by 8.7% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 452K tons. From 2023 to 2024, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.<\/p>\n In value terms, frozen, dried and smoked fish production stood at $1.4B in 2024 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a notable expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production decreased by -15.9% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 21%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $1.7B. From 2023 to 2024, production growth remained at a lower figure.<\/p>\n Production By Type<\/p>\n Frozen fish fillet (267K tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of production, comprising approx. 60% of total volume. Moreover, frozen fish fillet exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, frozen whole fish<\/a> (100K tons), threefold. Dried or smoked fish<\/a> (50K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 11% share.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of frozen fish fillet production stood at +7.7%. With regard to the other produced products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: frozen whole fish (-4.5% per year) and dried or smoked fish (+2.1% per year).<\/p>\n In value terms, frozen fish fillet ($1.1B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by dried or smoked fish ($489M). It was followed by frozen crustaceans.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the value of frozen fish fillet production stood at +7.8%. With regard to the other produced products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: dried or smoked fish (+2.1% per year) and frozen crustaceans (+3.4% per year).<\/p>\n ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Frozen, Dried And Smoked Fish<\/p>\n In 2024, supplies from abroad of frozen, dried and smoked fish increased by 3.3% to 269K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 297K tons. From 2020 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.<\/p>\n In value terms, frozen, dried and smoked fish imports dropped modestly to $1.8B in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 14% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $1.9B. From 2020 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.<\/p>\n Imports By Country<\/p>\n China<\/a> (60K tons), Norway<\/a> (30K tons) and Vietnam<\/a> (30K tons) were the main suppliers of frozen, dried and smoked fish imports to the UK, together accounting for 45% of total imports. Iceland, India<\/a>, the United States<\/a>, Ecuador<\/a>, Russia<\/a>, Myanmar<\/a>, Turkey<\/a>, Germany<\/a>, the Netherlands<\/a> and Denmark<\/a> lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +17.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.<\/p>\n In value terms, the largest frozen, dried and smoked fish suppliers to the UK were China ($311M), Iceland ($226M) and Norway ($207M), with a combined 41% share of total imports. Vietnam, India, Turkey, Ecuador, the United States, Russia, Myanmar, Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.<\/p>\n In terms of the main suppliers, Turkey, with a CAGR of +20.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.<\/p>\n Imports By Type<\/p>\n In 2024, frozen fish fillet (147K tons) constituted the largest type of frozen, dried and smoked fish supplied to the UK, accounting for a 55% share of total imports. Moreover, frozen fish fillet exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, frozen whole fish (59K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by frozen crustaceans (49K tons), with an 18% share.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of frozen fish fillet imports totaled -1.2%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: frozen whole fish (+2.2% per year) and frozen crustaceans (+0.5% per year).<\/p>\n In value terms, frozen fish fillet ($1B) constituted the largest type of frozen, dried and smoked fish supplied to the UK, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by frozen crustaceans ($444M), with a 24% share of total imports. It was followed by frozen whole fish, with a 13% share.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of frozen fish fillet imports stood at +2.1%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: frozen crustaceans (-0.5% per year) and frozen whole fish (+4.6% per year).<\/p>\n Import Prices By Type<\/p>\n The average import price for frozen, dried and smoked fish stood at $6,785 per ton in 2024, falling by -3.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 16% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $7,604 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.<\/p>\n There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplied products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was dried or smoked fish ($11,312 per ton), while the price for frozen fish meat<\/a> ($3,190 per ton) was amongst the lowest.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by dried or smoked fish (+6.7%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.<\/p>\n Import Prices By Country<\/p>\n The average import price for frozen, dried and smoked fish stood at $6,785 per ton in 2024, shrinking by -3.4% against the previous year. Over the last eleven-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 16%. The import price peaked at $7,604 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.<\/p>\n Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Denmark ($15,424 per ton), while the price for Myanmar ($4,389 per ton) was amongst the lowest.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Denmark (+8.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.<\/p>\n ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Frozen, Dried And Smoked Fish<\/p>\n In 2024, overseas shipments of frozen, dried and smoked fish increased by 14% to 158K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after four years of decline. Overall, exports, however, showed a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 19%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 249K tons. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.<\/p>\n In value terms, frozen, dried and smoked fish exports expanded markedly to $501M in 2024. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 13%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $744M. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.<\/p>\n Exports By Country<\/p>\n The Netherlands<\/a> (39K tons) was the main destination for frozen, dried and smoked fish exports from the UK, with a 24% share of total exports. Moreover, frozen, dried and smoked fish exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France<\/a> (16K tons), twofold. Lithuania<\/a> (11K tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 7.2% share.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands amounted to -2.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-0.7% per year) and Lithuania (+25.5% per year).<\/p>\n In value terms, France ($106M), the Netherlands ($95M) and Lithuania ($29M) constituted the largest markets for frozen, dried and smoked fish exported from the UK worldwide, together comprising 46% of total exports. Vietnam, Germany, the United States, China, Spain<\/a>, Japan<\/a>, Ukraine<\/a>, the Philippines<\/a>, Ireland<\/a> and Nigeria<\/a> lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.<\/p>\n The Philippines<\/a>, with a CAGR of +37.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.<\/p>\n Exports By Type<\/p>\n